Vladislav Andrushko, student
“There won’t be any significant changes in the next year. The process of transformations will be long, and happen due to the evolution, not revolution. Besides a few very bad candidates who can bring negative changes, election results won’t impact the situation much, no matter who wins. The development of the country will depend not on the politicians, but on the representatives of civil society.”
Irina Tishchenko, cabin crew
“Like all people, I am looking forward to the positive changes. I hope that the war will end. However, I suppose that the president remains the same. Talking about the situation on Donbas, similar to all ordinary citizens, I want the conflict to be resolved. Nonetheless, I believe that there are plenty of people who benefit from its continuation.”
Natalia Kuzmina, professor
“I am a pessimist, so I won’t tell you anything joyful. I want a different president, but I think we will get the same person we have now. I am working with youth, so I observe how many talented people are leaving the country. Retired people are living poorly. There is no reason to be cheerful for me.”
Oleh Vovchuk, communication manager
“This year Ukraine will have the choice to remain at the same level of development or to make a step forward in a better direction. I personally hope that the country will make a leap. I think that the situation in the east of Ukraine won’t change much. The current Ukrainian government, as well as Russia, benefit from the conflict. Maybe, if we have a new president, he or she might try to change the situation there. However, chances that the conflict will be resolved this year are weak.”
Olga Ilchenko, personnel officer
“I think our country will be developing. I hope we will be moving in the European direction. The most important is that we should be as far as possible from Russia and the Soviet Union, thus, we have to choose completely opposite course of development for Ukraine.”
Oleksandr Yaroviy, sales manager
“We are so disappointed, that I don’t know what to hope for. My forecast for 2019 does not differ from the previous year – I don’t expect any significant transformations. Talking about the elections, now I think that we had so many different leaders but none of them brought the change. I don’t think the upcoming will impact the situation in the country. The senior citizens will probably be surviving, just like they do it now. For instance, my granny gets a monthly pension of Hr 1,700 and she has to pay for utilities Hr 1,000, thus, only Hr 700 remain for her monthly living.”
