Olena Rudchenko, student, Zhytomyr Oblast
“I have a special New Year’s list: I hope Ukraine could become an associate European Union member by 2015; I want Viktor Yanukovych to resign and Ukrainians to unite and stay until the victory here on Maidan Nezalezhnosti. I met the New Year here on EuroMaidan with my friends and hope to spend the whole year surrounded by such great people.”
Andriy Ostrozhniy, tour guide, Baturyn
“A shift in power — that’s what I want for my country and myself in 2014. The main thing we need now is a clearly outlined goal: what we’re standing for. However, it won’t be an easy time for us as (President Viktor) Yanukovych gives no sign of resigning. That means another revolution, a nationwide strike, maybe. And it also means a grim and bloody time for us, as there’s no revolution without blood. On the flipside, the U.S. and Europe don’t want another Arab Spring to happen here in Ukraine.”
Uliana Andrusiv, civil activist, Ivano Frankivsk
“I don’t have time to think about a resolution as all my thoughts are with the EuroMaidan. But I had a chance to attend Lyubomur Huzar’s prayer service on New Year’s Eve and I thought about things for which I want to be thankful. I want to thank God for all those great things that happened to my family in 2013; for the new Pope Francis, for the celebration of Kyivan Rus baptism this year in Kyiv and, of course, for this revolution of dignity that happened in Ukraine. And I want (for) all of us to have enough wisdom to understand everything we’re facing now here.”
Vira Tsvirla, homemaker, Bohorodchany, Ivano-Frankivsk oblast
“I have only one thing on my personal list: I want real changes for Ukraine, that’s why we’re all here. I wish Ukrainians become more tolerant and united and believe in a better future.”
Father Ivan, priest, Lutsk
“I don’t have any special resolutions. However, I want to be with my nation and don’t want Ukraine to turn into a police state. I wish (the police special forces) OMON and other special police units don’t use force against peaceful demonstrators any more. They acted as brutally as the Gestapo (secret state police of Nazi Germany), as I was on Maidan on Nov.30 when they dispersed those young activists. I wish nothing similar will happen to us.”
