Modern Ukraine turns 19 on Aug. 24. Does it act its age?
Olesya Kirichkova,
teacher
“Same as a 19-year-old who struggles to define his future, our country is at a loss and anarchic. Maybe a youngster of this age would have decided what he wants, but in politics everyone is looking out for his own interests. We have a new president who tries to impose his own orders now. In 5-7 years, if he stays put, Ukraine should become more mature.”
Ludmyla Mikhailovska,
pensioner
“A young person can make mistakes, but our country is governed by a number of older people, so it’s not comparable. The promises are not being fulfilled and there are too many lies. Nothing has changed [through the years of Ukraine’s independence] – people continue being poor. I don’t think Ukraine is developing in a positive way.”
Oleksandr Barbarych,
entrepreneur
“Nineteen years is a very young age for a country. A country becomes mature when it turns 100 years old, so for many more years we won’t see anything good here. But Ukraine can develop a little quicker with the Euro 2012 [football championship]. Two more terminals are being built at the Boryspil Airport and many roads are being reconstructed.”
Volodymyr Zakhrovsky,
owner of travel agency
“I think Ukraine is acting its age. I’m Russian and I don’t feel like I’m a foreigner here. Comparing Kyiv to Moscow, I can say that people here are kinder and the weather is definitely nicer.”
Petro Dzibko,
doctor
“A 19-year-old is more active and purposeful. It’s time for Ukraine to choose its path and go forward … hopefully, towards the European Union.”
