Yevheniya Kostryshin, 41, from Dolyna, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast
“I think the mood of the protest is changing for the best. And there are already small victories. People detained (on Nov. 30) were released, it is important. But there is a big victory ahead. The president must go. And all the top officials must go with him. That would mean we won. Let’s hope for the best.”
Olga Shypash, 36, finance specialist from Kyiv
“I think the protest did inspire some changes. (Deputy Prime Minister Serhiy) Arbuzov went to negotiate (in Brussels), and there are more visits promised. And now there is no chance that Ukraine will enter the Customs Union, I hope. There are some changes for sure. This number of people should influence the position of authorities, in theory. I don’t know if it works with our government. It all should end with the dismissal of the Cabinet of Ministers, or at least the dismissal of the interior minister.”
Olexandra Chepurna-Samartseva, 58, pensioner from Kyiv
“I think that the government did hear the voice of the people, and it heard it on the very first days, but it is just not sure what to do. I think these weeks of protesting made people more confident. People understood that they must fight for their rights and that they can demand things. Now we see that most part of society is not disappointed, and ready to fight for a better life. I think this protest lifted the people’s understanding of the political life of Ukraine, and it will do them good when they have to vote in elections the next time. “
Iryna Kuznetsova, 26, photographer from Kyiv
“Now there is much more international coverage of Maidan, and it’s good. People at the protests became calmer and more consolidated. The result of this must be that officials who gave orders to attack the protesters must leave. I think even though there were no real actions from the government, I’m sure they hear us and they will soon surrender. We need a new government that will lead us to Europe.”
Pavlo Mazur, 26, fitness instructor
“I want all the top authorities replaced. Elections must be held, and we must get a new government, parliament and president. I don’t think that they’ve heard the people in these three weeks. If they did, there would be a representative of government here, speaking to people at the Maidan and calling for compromise. But the fact that they have this anti-Maidan rally shows that they don’t want any concessions.”
