Mikheil Ukleba, Georgian ambassador to Ukraine
“We will do everything possible to support the people of
Ukraine because the problems facing Ukraine are the problems facing Georgia.
There have been announcements from the president, from ministers in support of
Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. We will stand with the Ukrainian people.”
Sean LePouttre, educator, United States
“I think we have an obligation to actually do more, and right
away. Economic sanctions should happen right away. I think [the U.S.
government] is afraid to act because Europe isn’t supporting us. Europe has too
many ties to Russia and they’re not willing to take any risks and impose
sanctions because they are afraid that their oil and gas will be cut
off…Personally, I think the Russian economy is a little bit vulnerable now…I
think we need to do whatever we can to send a message to Russia. I think Obama
needs to do more. It was great that Kerry came, but the U.S. needs to take
action, not continue this war of words. I don’t know why the world is just
watching [and not taking action].”
Carolyn Wallace, educator, United States
“Obama has to get tougher, and really mean it. He needs to be
more like Angela Merkel, not backing down. I think Putin has the mafia
mentality, like from Chicago. And if you back down, they only push you further.
[Obama] has to put a line in the sand…and not let anyone step over it. [He
needs to say]: “do not take over Crimea.”
Wlodzimierz Iwanczenko, vice president of KPZS
“Zgoda” im. Marjana Malowskiego, Poland
“The Polish government is already supporting Ukraine. Poland
and other Eastern European countries have the personal experience of living
under oppression, under communist regimes, under totalitarianism. They remember
this and they are doing their best to support the Ukrainian people, who are a
European people. Financial sanctions are a good thing, of course. My personal
opinion is that [Ukraine] missed its chance to enter NATO before the conflict
because at the present time, it will be impossible. If a country has a
conflict, it will not be accepted. Therefore, I hope that the diplomatic
pressure will be adequate, and that immediately after this pressure, that
Russia will peacefully draw back its forces from Crimea. Immediately after
that, Ukraine should apply for NATO membership.”
Illya Labunka, translator, editor, United States
“I think the U.S. should impose economic sanctions against
all the former members of the criminal regime that ruled here for the past four
years and basically destroyed this country. The question of military
intervention is obviously a very difficult one. But economic aid can be a
priority for the United States. Things were a little slow in the beginning, as
far as the administration was concerned. People were dying and they could have
done a little bit more, maybe a little bit quicker. The country is a financial
disaster. Immediate economic aid should be first and foremost. Moral support as
well is very important. Statements from the State Department, from the White House
in support of the Ukrainian people, and [in particular] the people in Crimea.”
Richard Wallace, educator, United States
“I think mainly the U.S. can impose sanctions against Russia.
Plus, the U.S. is going to loan Ukraine $1 billion to help them with their
economy until they are integrated into the EU. I think mostly it’s the support
of the American people toward Ukraine. The American people want Ukraine to be a
free country, and to be a democratic country. It’s mostly money and sanctions
against Russia that will help Ukraine. The last thing I want to see is any type
of military conflict. That would be a disaster for everyone.”
