With last week's election results still threatening to plunge the Ukraine into political chaos, UB students with ties to the eastern European country sounded off on the accusations of voter fraud and tensions reminiscent of the Cold War.
Recently, the Ukrainian parliament voided the election results but left it unclear whether a new election would be held. Reports on Election Day had Russian-backed candidate Viktor Yanukovych winning, but several world governments, including the U.S. government, claimed the election did not meet proper standards.
Since then, thousands of demonstrators have taken up residence in Kiev's Independence Square to protest, mostly in support of opposition candidate Viktor Yushchenko.
If UB's Vera Proskunova were back in Kiev, she might be one of them.
"I believe it is the truth," said Proskunova, president of the Ukranian SA, referring to the accusations. "I think the country is split between pro-U.S. and pro-Russian, and I blame (Russian President Vladimir) Putin."
Proskunova, a native of the Ukraine, said the election controversy brought a long-running ideological conflict to a head. She said the divide between people in favor of joining the European Union and those wishing to maintain strong ties with Russia has existed for years.
"This is an ongoing war that has been going on for a while underground," she said.
Michael Darmograi, another Ukrainian SA member who is a native of the country, agreed and added the divide has long-running geographical roots.
"Russia and the western Ukraine have always been going against each other because if you look at the history, that part of the country has always been taken over by Poland, Austria, and they want their independence," he said. "In the eastern Ukraine, right next to Russia, they all speak Russian. They want to be close to Russia."
While Proskunova said she believes progress in the Ukraine is best in the hands of a Western-leaning government, Darmograi said he has his doubts.
"My personal opinion is that I don't think this guy (Yushchenko) will be any better than the other guy (Yanukovych)," he said. "The thing is, Yanukovych was a criminal. He was in jail for robbery or rape or something and a lot of people don't like him. But he has stronger ties to Russia and probably will be able to get things done."
Darmograi said the relationship between the two countries is similar to the United States and Canada in that they share open borders, but the Ukraine is much more dependent on Russia, and Russia somewhat views its neighbor as a state of its own union.
According to Darmograi, because Putin uses Russian economic policy to keep former Soviet satellites from becoming too independent, staying close to Moscow makes sense on many levels.
"Joining the European Union takes seven years of temporary membership, seven years after that and you're coming up on twenty years," he said. "This is a long term thing."
Proskunova said she doesn't share Darmograi's view that staying closer to Russia better benefits the Ukraine.
"Russia promises dual citizenship and not to make Ukrainian the official language of the Ukraine, which I don't understand," she said. "(Eastern Ukrainians) are perfectly willing to make the Ukraine part of the Russian Federation."
While differing on their views surrounding which direction the Ukraine moves in economically and culturally, both Proskunova and Darmograi agreed neither political side is innocent of the post-election allegations.
"As far as the election goes, I think both sides are guilty of fraud," Darmograi said.
Both students said they hope the election conflict is resolved safely for both sides.
"I think there is a good chance of violence, but I hope it is nothing long," Proskunova said. "I just hope it works out without it."
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
