This is taken from a very rough draft of a plot bunny inhabiting my brain pan the past several months. It’s set in Paris during the Terror, which makes for fascinating, but demanding, research. Here’s a stab at a WIPpet. The math is 1+2+3=6 for the month and day, + 2 for the first number of the year = 8 sentences.
Madame de Stael said, “My dear friend, I see one of your countrymen, I believe.” She held out both her hands, clasping the young man’s hand between hers, while he gave her a kiss on each cheek. Turning to Anya, she said, “I would like to introduce Monsieur Marunchak to you, Madame Petrenko. Am I right, Monsieur, that you are also from Russia?” After a slight hesitation, Anya looked at the newcomer, freezing momentarily like an animal trying to hide, before she pasted on a brittle smile, saying, “A pleasure to meet you, Monsieur Marunchak.” The young man frowned slightly, saying to Madame de Stael, “No, Madame, I am from Kiev, which is in Ukraine, not Russia.” Turning to Anya and Kiryl, he set his lips into a smile, but Kiryl thought there was puzzlement or perhaps distress in his eyes. “I am very pleased to make your acquaintance, Madame, Monsieur.” Kiryl shook the man’s hand, noting that the man was still looking at Anya.
Elizabeth Anne Mitchell 
Like this… you’ve definitely hinted at some tension here. One small question… Isn’t it just Ukraine, not “the Ukraine”. You wouldn’t say “the Russia” or “the France” (though sometimes the French do)… I though the “the” was added for associations of nations or states. But it could just be me.
No, not just you. I’ll check my notes, but there was a period when it was called “the” Ukraine. However, it’s not good if it brings the reader out of the story. So, even if it is “the” in that historical period, any reader today may well be so aware of Ukraine that it jars. Thank you for pointing it out.
I did some checking after I noted this. It was only called “The Ukraine” while it was part of the USSR. Which might be perfect for your story and would help date it correctly.
Thank you for checking that! I have corrected that in the post and my draft.
It sounds like an interesting time period. Good luck with your writing.
Thank you. I’m enjoying the research into the period.
I love period pieces. The research can be just as fun as the writing. Definitely a lot of tension during that time and in these few sentences.
Oops, definitely an awkward moment there. Now I’m intrigued how all these characters come together here.