RHEINE/TRAKAI. Horror, terrible fears – and then also already the preparation for the reception of the refugees, who will probably come from Ukraine. In Rheine’s Lithuanian twin town Trakai, the military invasion of Ukraine has triggered terrible fears. Then the small Baltic state only regained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1990. “It was a totally anxious day. These events hit us very deeply in our hearts,” Evelina Sochiene, an employee of the mayor of Trakai, told our newspaper. Mayor Andrius Satevicius took the initiative on Thursday and, together with local companies, provided housing for the war refugees, who will most certainly come from Ukraine. At the Trakaier Hospital, 50 beds will be provided for the care of injured refugees.
The Trakaier have also offered help to their two twin cities in Ukraine: “We have contacted our twin cities of Luzk and Ivano-Frankivsk and asked how we can help, what we can do. We know that it is a very difficult situation. We have received answers with a list of products that are needed. We are also already buying some things. We also have a partnership with Koszalin in Poland and together we are putting together a package to send to the twin towns in Ukraine,” Evelina Sochiene continues.
There are very many personal connections from Trakai to Ukraine as well. “For example, my husband has family there. We talked a lot on the phone today,” the Trakai resident describes. “But I also don’t know how things will continue. A friend of mine from Ukraine reported that military columns of the attackers are just racing through the towns and villages. So they are already there, so to speak, and this is Russia now,” the young woman described.
In Lithuania, people have been watching the events emanating from Moscow and Belarus for many years. Last year, for example, the Belarusian dictator transported thousands of refugees from Iraq and Africa to Belarus as “tourists” – and then deliberately abandoned them at the 680-kilometer-long common border with Lithuania. More than 5000 people were picked up in the forests. Lithuania asked the EU for help at the time.
Trakai’s mayor Andrevicius called out Trakai citizens to a solidarity rally in front of the Palace of Culture on Thursday. Numerous citizens from Rheine’s twin city responded to the call. However, in an appeal to the population, Satevicius also gave the advice to follow the recommendations of the Lithuanian Ministry of Interior. The Lithuanian government had declared a state of emergency on Thursday, because it saw a threat to the interests of the national security of the country. In plain language, the government in Vilnius fears “hybrid attacks and provocations of any kind against Lithuania, especially on the border, on the instructions of the Russian and Belarusian authorities.” Lithuanian security forces are stepping up checks on all vehicles at the border until March 10.
The city of Rheine and the town twinning association of the city directly expressed their solidarity with the people of Trakai. Furthermore, from Rheine was offered any help within the limits of possibilities. “Our thoughts are with our friends in Trakai and we hope that the nightmare will soon come to an end,” said Mayor Peter Lüttmann.
However, Lithuanians are highly worried. “All this naturally puts us in Lithuania in great anxiety. But we are brave. Cross your fingers for us that everything will be fine. But I am pessimistic about it,” Evelina Sochiene concluded.