Canadians in Ukraine stay put, despite evacuation orders: ‘It’s the right thing to do’

Canadian expats in Ukraine say the situation on the ground is 'calm,' as many choose to ignore warnings from Global Affairs Canada to leave as the threat of war with Russia looms.

Jack Linton arrived in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv about a month ago, just as Global Affairs Canada began advising Canadians not to travel to the country as the threat of war with Russia mounted.

But Linton, from Oakville, Ont., had been planning to permanently relocate to Ukraine for months and didn’t consider the warnings severe enough to put off his trip.

Even now, two days after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of two breakaway regions of Ukraine and deployed forces there, Linton says the situation on the ground in Kyiv is “calm” and he is resolute in staying put.

“I’m keen on staying right now because I had the option to leave weeks ago, right? And I just thought that it’s the right thing to do to stay,” Linton says.

Linton shares a similar sentiment to many Canadians in Ukraine, who have decided to remain in the country amid Russian troop deployments in the east, despite several warnings from Global Affairs Canada to leave the country while commercial flights remain available.

A senior government official told Global News earlier this month that they were concerned about the number of Canadians who had not yet left, urging them to leave.

At a press conference on Tuesday to announce new sanctions on Russia, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Canadians in the country that their “safety and security are a top priority.”

This was followed by a strong message from Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly: “Let me also be clear to Canadians who are in Ukraine, please leave the country.”