It is interesting to note that in Ukraine, many claim not to speak Russian, although it is taught in schools everywhere.
I used my small bit of Russian in Kiev last summer and was told (in English) quite politely that the person spoke Ukrainian or English, not Russian.
Hard feelings there.
By the way the Cathedral of St. Mikhail was destroyed by Stalin during the famine.
The Ukrainians got it back up after partition in the 90's in just 2 years with contributions from Ukrainians all over the world. Itis a real beauty and not a small little chapel either.
Signs like this give me hope for Ukraine.
Ukraine is still split down the middle. Yushenko is seen as too western by the Russian element there.