On Valentine’s Day in Kyiv, both romance and war are on the mind of locals.
At a metro station just outside the city centre of Ukraine's capital, there’s a steady stream of middle-aged men carrying bouquets of flowers.
Most Ukrainians are still doing their daily commute, despite the strange situation the country is in.
At the subway entrance, Svitlana and her daughter are selling heart-shaped balloons.
Svitlana once called Crimea home, but left when the region was annexed by Russia in 2014.
It's Valentines Day at a metro station just outside the city centre in Kyiv. Source: Ben Lewis / SBS News
If Russian forces invade Ukraine again, she says she won’t flee Kyiv.
“I think it's good to stay where you're used to being,” she tells SBS News.
“We'll survive by sticking together. If we support each other to the best of our abilities, then I think everything will be okay."
The 59-year-old says she doesn’t think the Russian public wants a war.
“Can't people be content with what they have? Vladimir Putin shouldn't do this, it's not worth it. Politicians don't think about the people.”
While the United States, Australia and other Western governments have urged citizens to leave Ukraine immediately, life carries on in Kyiv. Offices and restaurants are busy, while children are still going to school.
If Russian forces invade Ukraine, Svitlana says she won’t flee Kyiv. Source: SBS News / Ben Lewis
That’s not to say people aren’t concerned or frightened; the prospect of a Russian invasion seems to be the main topic of conversation.
In a stylish coffee shop, Nikolai Litvinenko is busy making lattes and selling pastries.
"Everyone's stressing about how, because of all this news, money is leaving the country,” he tells SBS News.
“The most unpleasant thing is that there's no war yet, but it's already having an effect, because people have this funny feeling, people are worrying, gas prices are rising."
“I mean, obviously we have, you know, a slight chance of dying if this all happens,” he adds with a slight smile.
It's grim humour in a stressful time.
Some, like 46-year-old Konstantin Nyesenyuk, aren’t at all worried about their safety.
In a stylish Kyiv coffee shop, Nikolai Litvinenko is busy making lattes and selling pastries. Source: SBS News / Ben Lewis
“We're eagerly awaiting our Russian quote-unquote friends. We'll give them a beautiful welcome, so to speak. But not all of them will return home," he says.
If there is an invasion, Mr Nyesenyuk plans to join the local territorial defence force and fight.
“You can talk about which army's smaller or bigger, but we won't really know who's stronger until we face off. It's all theoretical. So, they're bigger. Well, let them come in, and we'll see who's stronger.”
The willingness to fight is common among Ukrainians.
Oleksandr Kurilin hopes cool heads will prevail in Moscow, but is prepared to do what it takes to defend his homeland.
"I'm a teacher by training, but I'll still be ready, if necessary, to defend our country, Ukraine, include through military means,” he says.
Oleksandr Kurilin says he is prepared to do what it takes to defend his homeland. Source: SBS News / Ben Lewis
"On the Russian side, it will be the military participating in the war. On the Ukrainian side, there'll a significant number or ordinary people taking part in every operation."
