Is ukraine really a nation?

[Cesar]

Hi friends: I am argentinian. So forgive my sketchy English. IЄd like somebody answer my question. Is ukraine a nation? I mean that country is culturaly divided mainly in two sections. The river Dnieper splits the country in two, and not only geographically. The people on the right bank is the most pro-european. They speak Ukrainian ( the vast majority), profess the Greek Catholic Church -a kind of mixture between Catholic and Orthodox cults- and historically those people were very influenced by western countries. Meanwhile on the left bank people speak Russian, they profess Orthodox rite and there live an important russian minority. Although this division is not so neat and simple, I think nobody will deny it exists. There is a sovietised population on one side and another with strong cultural links with the rest of central europe on the other side. How is it possible to build up a likely state regarding that split, a consistent state? Mine is only a question. It doesnЄt imply an opinion. Thanks.

[Drij]

yes it is, the opinion your giving has always been a problem, this whole situation brought it to the forefront, thankfully! Who knows what will come out of it, Western Ukraine hopefully will benefit the most pouring over into the East. As will the language and the Western culture!! It's a dream, becasue I can't stand russian's in Ukraine calling themselves Ukrainian or the infulence russia has on Ukraine. Diluting the Ukrainian language, making it disappear in the East.

Drij

[Rusnak]

Originally posted by Cesar
The people on the right bank is the most pro-european. They speak Ukrainian... Meanwhile on the left bank people speak Russian...

Hola Cesar,

Basically, even our Ukrainian brothers in the East do not speak very much Ukrainian. Here is a good website that shows what you talk about:

http://ukraine-today.com/reference/s...survival.shtml

In explaining Ukrainian language usage by Ukranians, the above website states in part: "About 15% of the questioned who defined themselves as Ukrainians do not consider Ukrainian to be their native language. It is also known that attitude towards Ukrainian varies by region. In the East and South the usage of the Ukrainian language is quite rare.

In the Donets'k oblast only 41% of the Ukrainian population in the area considers Ukrainian to be their native tongue. Moreover, only 8% of those speak the language in the family."

Saludos,
Rusnak

[Chelovik]

Where did you find this map please?
I personally think that differences should be tolerated and someway worked out to live in unity. We are familiar with the term 'Unity in diversity'. I find it irresponsible to talk of seperation this early in the proceedings. On the other hand, being Ukrainian I know how hard it is to be tolerant of anyone who does not share the views as oneself. I saw that with my parents and sadly, a lot of my peers. The good news is some of us were gifted enough to overcome those prejudices and become tolerant of different views.

[Freedom1]

Unfortunately, from my observations of the Ukrainian emigre community in America, I had concluded that these folks aren't comfortable unless they have an adversary for some reason. West vs East, Melnykivtschi vs Banderivtschi, the Soviets, etc etc.


I always thought how really foolish to divide a nation's efforts that way. For a 10 year old to find it foolish, well, hell it's foolish, and certainly not related to any high order thought process.

Almost think it'd be a miracle if the country stayed glued together.