The international solidarity movement triggered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine is not only reflected in occasional popular gatherings in the major capitals. Less numerous than the demonstrators mobilized once morest the Russian offensive, international volunteers are on their way to Ukraine to take up arms at Kiev’s call and participate in the resistance once morest Moscow’s aggression. On Sunday March 6, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that more than 20,000 people from 52 countries had already come forward to this end with the Ukrainian authorities. The creation of an “international legion for the defense of Ukraine” aimed at welcoming foreigners ready to put their military experience at the service of this country had already been announced by Kiev in the first days of the conflict. It is now taking shape.
“The whole world is on Ukraine’s side today, not only in words but also in deeds”, declared Mr. Kuleba on Sunday, without specifying the number of volunteers already supported by the authorities. On the eve of these announcements, a website had been launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide candidates with the contact details of 67 Ukrainian diplomatic representations around the world where military attachés must assist them. On the ground, the Legion for Ukraine is to be integrated with Territorial Defence, a branch of the Ukrainian Armed Forces created following the Russian invasion. In the wake of these official appeals, press titles from all over the world have reported commitments, without it being known what these displayed good intentions may be worth on the ground.
L’Asahi Shimbun of Tokyo thus announced, on March 2, that 70 people, the majority of whom were former members of the Japanese self-defense forces, had answered the call. About 100 volunteers have also been announced in South Korea, according to the KBS World television channel. Cases have also been identified in Thailand, where activists from the pro-democracy movement which stood up to the government of former putschist general Prayuth Chan-ocha during the 2020 demonstrations have contacted the Ukrainian embassy there too. “to oppose tyranny”in the words of activist Chanaphong “Ball” Phongpai.
If most present themselves as confirmed fighters, others pass for idealists anxious to find a cause
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