Ukraine joins the EC!

A Historic Day for Ukraine 

As Ukraine draws closer to the EU amid protests from Russia and an expiring cease-fire with separatists, hope wells up that President Petro Poroshenko can really make a difference.  I have been silent since May, watching along with the rest of the world to see if our fragile sovereign nation could hold itself together, free of Russian influence. Today, just about an hour ago, President Poroshenko signed an agreement that aligns Ukraine with Europe instead of Asia, with the west instead of the east. And it appears that Putin is looking for a way out. Let's hope he finds a reasonable one.

Solving the Russia Problem

New York Times 21/04/2014

QUOTATION OF THE DAY

"If you just stand there, be confident and raise the cost gradually and increasingly to Russia, that doesn't solve your Crimea problem and it probably doesn't solve your eastern Ukraine problem. But it may solve your Russia problem."

IVO H. DAALDER, a former American ambassador to NATO, on one potential approach President Obama could take with President Vladimir V. Putin. 

The East Rises Up Against Separatism

Last month, this quote caught my attention in the NY Times. I had written in my blog prior to this that the only chance Ukraine had was if the businessmen in Russia and Eastern Ukraine felt the pain of sanctions and took up positions against Putin's actions.

The eastern referendum

Today the separatist  people in the East are choosing to hold a referendum on secession from Ukraine. Last week Putin asked these separatists to hold off on the referendum until after the elections. They chose to proceed. So who do we believe this time?  Did Putin make a public statement that he reversed in private orders?  Did the people truly go off on their own?  Who will count the votes? And who will be allowed to vote?  What will a vote mean?  Those counting will claim huge turnout and clear results. If no one but Putin believes it, will he still step in?

The events of the past few days which resulted in violent clashes in Odessa and the East were truly worrisome. People killing their own. Propaganda dividing those that have been living side by side for generations. Why did Putin have to butt in?  Look what he has created now?  Total instability is not good for anyone, not even for Russia.

God help us all.

How good a liar is Putin, really?

Христос Воскрес! Christ is Risen. 

It is Easter Monday, Обливаний понеділок, and I am angry. Not happy about Christ having arisen for our salvation, but angry that Putin has once again threatened our freedom.

I have been angry about the new situation in Ukraine for some time. It is so clear that the insurgency in Eastern Ukraine over the past few weeks is being orchestrated by ex-KGB liar Putin. It is clear that the insurgents are Russian special forces troops. Photos have been documenting this consistently for the past couple of weeks. Today's New York Times carries US sanctioned photos released by Ukraine's government clearly identifying the troops on the ground as Russian special forces. The way in which it is all unfolding is entirely akin to Georgia and Crimea. Putin's greed is clear. The West's apathy is as well.

Putin is a blatant liar. He says there are no Russian troops on Ukraine's soil. He said the same in Crimea, then later admitted that of course Russian troops backed the loyal separatists. When will he admit his lies this

The meaning of ethnicity and culture in Ukraine

Millenia of migrations and co-existing populations create a golden heritage

Ukrainians are for the most part a tolerant people.  Despite the corruption that was rampant under Yanukovych, there was a greater degree of freedom in Ukraine than there has been in Russia under ex-KGB chief Putin's rule.  Kyiv Post has been reporting in English frankly and other media have had relative freedom to tell it as they see it, with a few exceptions. Tetiana Chornovol, a prominent Ukrainian civic activist and journalist was beaten on Christmas Day and said she believes her attackers were paid to kill her. This was after she took photos of Yanukovych's and other oligarchs palaces being built behind massive walls.  Were they building the walls to keep themselves safe inside or keep prying eyes out? Did they think they could fool all the people forever? What did they do with all that loot?

Religion in Ukraine

Byzantine Rite Catholic is Orthodox, isn't it?

I have had to answer this question more times than I can count. Now, living in a very Roman Catholic country, I find it's even more curious that very few people have even heard of Byzantine Catholic. I mean Catholic is Catholic, isn't it. Not quite.

Look them in the eye and tell Ukraine she is on her own. Or not.

Western sanctions and anti-Russian rhetoric may have little meaning and effect...the answer may lie in China. 

I have been watching, like many Ukrainians in the diaspora, and waiting to see how things will unfold after the Russian annexation of Crimea. I cringed when the un-Russian troops marched into the Ukrainian barracks and marched the bewildered Ukrainian soldiers out, taking the Commander, Admiral Serhiy Haiduk, away as hostage. The Russians released him Thursday as they ousted Ukrainian forces from bases around Crimea.