Jim Bown,
president of Vanco Pryker­chenska oil and gas company.

“It’s a good thing they met. It’s just a matter of courtesy.”

Jaroslawa Zelinsky Johnson,
lawyer
“Sure, why not? Diplomacy is diplomacy. People should be talking. American diplomacy isn’t changing.
They still require Ukraine’s leaders to meet democratic standards, but America does not want to isolate Ukraine. It was a very short meeting and not exactly a diplomatic coup for Ukraine. It’s not a state dinner in the White House.”

Oleg Trykoz,
accounting

“From my perspective, it’s very important that Yanukovych met with Obama and discussed his view of developments in Ukraine…
It’s critical for America to push for democratic reforms in the economy and in political life.”

Volodmyr Tkachenko,
metallurgy
“I support permanent contacts. If they have contact, they have the opportunity to influence the situation.
If they lose this contact, then there will be more problems for Ukraine.”

David Barrett,
consultant
“It’s good that they met. We need more of that in this world. I think the only time you say not to meet is in extreme situations.
It’s always better to have open communications.”