Ukrainian biathletes at the 2022 Olympics, “worried” about the fate of their country threatened by a Russian invasion according to the United States, are living a “difficult” if not “heartbreaking” situation in China, from where they remain in contact with their families. remained in Ukraine, explained two of them on Saturday.
KEYSTONE
“It’s difficult for my country and for me, every day, to hear on the news that at any time Russia can invade Ukraine”, delivered in the mixed zone Dmytro Pidruchnyi, world pursuit champion 2019.
Ranked 13th in the sprint won by Johannes Boe on Saturday, he said he was “worried” about the growing tension around Ukraine, on the border of which Russia has tens of thousands of troops. “It’s a difficult situation for my country and we hope that the world will help us and that Russia will stop,” said the Ukrainian N.1 in biathlon.
Same anxiety for his compatriot Artem Pryma: “Yes, I am worried about my family back home. It’s heartbreaking for the whole Ukrainian team. When I get back to my room, I call my family”, described the Ukrainian N.2 to explain how he is trying to manage the situation 6000 km and six time zones from his country.
US Foreign Minister Antony Blinken said the diplomatic channel remained “open” to avoid a conflict but would require “de-escalation” from Moscow, during a call with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on Saturday.
The latter accused the United States of wanting to provoke a conflict in Ukraine by evoking a possible Russian invasion.
ATS