After listening one full of stereotyping interview at BBC on Ukrainian subjects I’ve come out with next…

Myth 1. “Ukraine is divided between its West and East”
There is no “Western Ukraine” since Jan 22 1918 when national unity was proclaimed and Western Ukrainian People Republic has been self dismissed. I’d rather call those towns in Galicia or Volyn as West of Ukraine (not “Western Ukraine“). There is NO deep ethnic, religion or historical difference between all those different regions - big majority all around Ukraine are Orthodox (Byzantine/Greek Catholic traditions) Christians Slavs counting their history from Kyivian Rus. This myth is anything else then a natural regional difference explored in every big country in Europe (North vs South in UK, West vs East in Germany, etc). Ukrainians say: “There is rather twenty two of Ukraines than two”

Myth 2. “Ukraine has major ethnic Russian population conflicting with ethnic Ukrainian”
Some 17% of Ukrainians proclaim themselves as ethnic Russians. Just for comparison such EU member and exUSSR states as Latvia and Estonia have 29% and 26% of ethnic Russians respectively. Ethnic Russians are rather loyal, respected and productive members of modern Ukrainian society. Unlike politically marginal, but very loud in media Russian nationalists whose political movements are marginal in Ukraine gathering less then 3% on national elections

Myth 3. “There is conquering between “post orange democrats” as well between majority and opposition in Ukraine slowing down national development”
Ukraine is fast growing market since 2001 showing up 6-11% GDP every year since. Open political disputes between so called “democratic allies” is just the way how Ukrainian democracy works, new political tradition of vibrant Ukrainian society. Look at fighting well dressed Ukrainian MPs - they are smiling to each other even fighting :-) they are partners in national interests and contacting each other it is rather new parliament tradition. If you are looking for real fight - check South Korea’s MPs fighting, this is really bloody.

Myth 4. “Ukrainians and Russians are all the same”
Well Ukrainians, Russians, Poles, Slovaks, Serbs, Slovens all coming from Slavic tribes. Big difference will be explored should you research about self governance of those nations. Every state created by citizens of territories composing modern Ukraine was Europe oriented and/or democratic (since Kyivian Rus 9-12 c, 15-17c, 1918, 1991).

Myth 5. “Euro Cup 2012 in Ukraine is doubted”
According to Head of Organisational Committee in Ukraine and UEFA Executive Member Hryhoriy Surkis “Euro 2012 in Ukraine not questionable at all. Challenge only to make it best cup ever” As soon as Ukrainians are famous construction workers and engineers to update infrastructure for the cup is just a “peace of cake”. Success of Eurovision 2005 in Kyiv might be a proof of capability

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...