Showing posts with label propaganda. Show all posts
Showing posts with label propaganda. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Bloggers' power in Ukraine's quest for sovereignty

#euromaidan

What started as a protest quickly escalated to revolution and it was #Euromaidan on Twitter that fueled the transition. Not only were people in Kyiv like Vitaly Klitchko able to mobilize the masses to join in at the Maidan Nezalezhnosti, Ukrainians in the diaspora were able to help spread the word around the world. It was amazing how many Ukrainians worldwide took to their keyboards and screens. We were glued to social media, passing on any tidbit that might help the cause.  And then the Russians stepped in to Crimea. That's when the diaspora got really active.
Wearing my Ukrainian Trysub cap proudly

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Is Putin Ukraine's unintentional nationalist?

Dealing with explosive potential


Mr. Putin has been looking for another excuse to invade Ukraine for some time. When President Poroshenko announced that he was ending the 10-day unilateral cease fire with the rebels since they had not abided by it, Putin stated on television that Russia would be responding to this lack of regard for peaceful resolution, suggesting that he had the backing of the EU leaders. Putin does not have the backing of the EU; their leaders are simply unwilling to take a stronger stand against him. Now that Ukraine has signed a trade agreement with the EU, however, Putin does not have much wiggle room. I was worried that there was explosive potential and that he'd invade, but now I am not so sure that he won't retreat.