On-going Drama: Ukraine

It has been a while since I posted and I have no excuse except to say that my thoughts have been completely occupied by the terrible situation in Ukraine and Crimea and I haven't been able to write about it. I am in touch with other RPCV's with whom I served, and one young man who I had the privilege of becoming friends with who is still there. (He married a Ukrainian girl while in the Peace Corps and is still waiting for the paperwork to come through so he can take his new wife to his home in the US). I am also in touch with my friends and family from Novomoskovsk and I have to tell you they are very worried and very scared. No one wants to return to the bosom of Russian...NO ONE. They live in the east where, according to the Russian propaganda machine, everyone is pro-Russian. This is a complete fabrication. Most folks want Ukraine to be left alone. They consider Russia's presence in the Crimea a military invasion.These photographs were sent to me by my friend Yaroslav. It's a small pro-Ukrainian rally in the town where I lived. The sign says "No Russian Occupation". I am praying for my friends...for Ukraine.