The comment I replied to implied Ukrainians are "our" people. I don't think most of Europe thought of them like that before the west pushed their narrative and brought them to the attention while vilifying Russians. You have more sympathy for them compared to the average EU citizen that has never interacted with them because.. well you interacted with them and you had a positive experience. A lot of people make friends in the workplace and that affected you directly which I understand and I'm not saying you specifically are virtue signaling. But how many people are in your position and aren't just reacting to what the media is telling them?

I just don't see why I personally would have more sympathy for Ukrainians than the other countless people who are at war all over the world and have been at war constantly for decades. I understand caring more about this war because it's near the west and there's a chance it triggers WW3 but I believe most people, especially US citizens only show sympathy because of their party affiliation or to virtue signal or because if you don't you'll get ostracized etc.