Q-and-A: Ukrainian student's view

Valerie Solodarenko is from Poltava, Ukraine, and is a sophomore business communication major studying in Riga, Latvia. In high school, Solodarenko was an exchange student in North Judson, Ind.
In this Q-and-A, Solodarenko discusses her reaction to the events in her home country.

Q: Where were you when the demonstrations began?

A: Those days, I was in Latvia where I was studying and having my finals. When I saw videos and posts of a bloodthirsty dispersal, my heart ached and my eyes filled up with tears. I couldn’t stay [because of] this horrible situation and I even looked for the flight tickets, but my parents wouldn’t let me go because it was dangerous.

Q: What is going through the people’s minds over there?

A: Ukrainians are so desperate, they can’t trust anybody anymore. There’s no belief in President [Viktor Yanukovych], government, not even opposition leaders. The uncoordinated actions of opposition leaders disappointed radicals, who went on to clash with police. After four days of bloody confrontation, these political leaders have been unable to find a way out of the situation. This situation may split Ukraine into two parts and lead to civil war.

Q: How has the government hurt its people?

A: We Ukrainians are fed up with government. All they are doing [is] stealing and using our money. We can’t be slaves anymore. This is why people went to Kiev to protest. They had enough.

Q: Where do you see this crisis going?

A: We believe strongly in some better changes in Ukraine, [and] we keep fighting for justice. It’s a pity that we may lose a lot of amicable people in this fight. So I keep praying for Ukraine and our nation.

MAIN BAR: Ukrainian BSU professor discusses his passion for governmental change
VIDEO: See more from Valerie Solodarenko
INTERACTIVE: See the geography of some of the Ukrainian protests
TIMELINE: What led to this?