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Thank you for that. As a European, I would add that you really need to be aware that the country seems to be split along historical lines: http://www.washington

Thank you for that. As a European, I would add that you really need to be aware that the country seems to be split along historical lines: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/01/24/this-is-the-one-map-you-need-to-understand-ukraines-crisis/ http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/01/24... It seems that Kiev, the capital, happens to be in a region that is dominated by Ukrainian-speaking people, who feel closer to (Western/Central) Europe than to Russia. Therefore, a lot of protests are happening in the capital, which makes it easy for the media to paint a picture of an entire country with a pro-European bent in revolt against its pro-Russian government. That narrative conveniently ignores the huge pro-Russian part of the country. Things would play out very differently if Kiev were in the pro-Russian part of the Ukraine.

einhverfr 13y ago
Fun fact: Kiev was settled by a group that, although they were linguistically part of Northern rather than Eastern Europe, gave their name to Russia. Fun fact, this group also effectively began the Russian Orthodox tradition. I am referring of course to the Kievian Rus, for whom Russia was named, but who were basically to the Russians what the Normans were to the French....
memracom 13y ago
Belgium was split along historical lines but they talked over their differences and found common ground. The result of that was the beginning of the European Union which is why Brussels, Belgium is the EU capital today. So why can't the Ukrainians solve their problems the EU way?
- mtrimpe 13y ago
  Because being split between France and the Netherlands is a conflict of slightly different magnitude than being split between Russia and Europe. And I don't think that if you talk with Belgians many will agree that their model is in any way, shape or form to be used as a model for other countries.
- louhike 13y ago
  Belgium had a lot of problems recently. Even if it is not on the same order of magnitude than Ukraine, there are conflicts between both parts. Not so long ago, they did not find a way to form a government for several months and they often speak of splitting.
- reirob 13y ago
  As far as i know Belgium has not yet settled their national conflict between french-speaking and non-french-speaking territories. Any Belgians here to shed some light?

einhverfr 13y ago

Fun fact: Kiev was settled by a group that, although they were linguistically part of Northern rather than Eastern Europe, gave their name to Russia. Fun fact, this group also effectively began the Russian Orthodox tradition. I am referring of course to the Kievian Rus, for whom Russia was named, but who were basically to the Russians what the Normans were to the French....

memracom 13y ago

Belgium was split along historical lines but they talked over their differences and found common ground. The result of that was the beginning of the European Union which is why Brussels, Belgium is the EU capital today. So why can't the Ukrainians solve their problems the EU way?

mtrimpe 13y ago
Because being split between France and the Netherlands is a conflict of slightly different magnitude than being split between Russia and Europe. And I don't think that if you talk with Belgians many will agree that their model is in any way, shape or form to be used as a model for other countries.
louhike 13y ago
Belgium had a lot of problems recently. Even if it is not on the same order of magnitude than Ukraine, there are conflicts between both parts. Not so long ago, they did not find a way to form a government for several months and they often speak of splitting.
reirob 13y ago
As far as i know Belgium has not yet settled their national conflict between french-speaking and non-french-speaking territories. Any Belgians here to shed some light?