Hi Johnyboy,
First of all, much of my paternal ancestry descends from ethnic Russians in Odessa. (When it was part of the Empire of course.)
From the prism of modern day Russia: a lot of the “ethnic” lines you point out are quite blurred - especially when, for example: Russians and Ukrainians intermarry. (A very common phenomenon obviously.)
Regardless of the spirit of the Euromaidan in 2013 - following Putin’s actions in the Crimea and Donbass in 2014, a lot of inert forces were awakened.
The Ukrainian government remains a hot mess, as does its economy — but on the ground there is an unprecedented sense of resolve among the sound-minded people (including those of Russian descent) who are determined to see that their nation charts a course away from Vladimir Putin’s neo-Soviet, neo-Imperial agenda. Come what may.
For starters, every single statue of Lenin has been torn down. And the action was met with little resistance. (Only the Russian government complained.)
There’s been a spirit of revival of faith in in Christian churches across the denomination spectrum: Orthodox, Catholic, and Evangelical.
As of last month, Ukraine now celebrates two Christmases as official holidays. Western Christmas and Orthodox Christmas. This is in keeping with Kiev’s identity as the spiritual bridge between the Christianities of East and West, and is now coming to realization gradually.
And 500,000 people gathered in Maidan square last October, not to protest nor to have a gay pride parade— but to worship God. To worship Christ on the anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.
“They reported over 500,000 across denominational lines from all the churches in Kiev and surrounding areas. Many traveled from all four provinces there just to be a part of that celebration, to thank God for the freedom to worship, to thank God for the freedom to preach the Gospel in their country, and to celebrate God’s faithfulness.”
https://www.mnnonline.org/news/500000-ukrainians-gather-celebrate-reformation-gods-faithfulness/
>The Ukrainian government remains a hot mess, as does its economy — but on the ground there is an unprecedented sense of resolve among the sound-minded people (including those of Russian descent) who are determined to see that their nation charts a course away from Vladimir Putin’s neo-Soviet, neo-Imperial agenda. Come what may.
Well, they’re sure doing a good job of sucking up to gays.
>Ukraine moves closer to visa-free EU travel as gay rights bill passes
Embracing degeneracy isn’t very Christain.
If they want to move away from Russia, then let the Russian areas of the Ukraine go instead of trying to oppress them.