At the time, many prominent Ukrainians differed over the best future path for the country. However, three decades on, all would be proud to see their contributions recognized as the modern Ukrainian state marks its thirtieth anniversary. One of the brightest achievements of the past thirty years has been the blossoming of Ukrainian creativity. This creative impulse has fueled our fight for freedom and driven the pursuit of Euro-Atlantic integration through two separate revolutions. In the private sector, Ukrainian creativity has helped establish a new tech-driven business environment.
It has produced countless world-class fashion designers, actors, writers, and artists, while also enabling the country to win the Eurovision Song Contest twice. Ukrainian creativity is becoming more and more internationally recognized. Thanks to the fall of the Iron Curtain, Ukraine has been able to reengage with the wider global community. Since , millions of foreigners have discovered Ukraine for themselves, and have been struck by the mood of creativity and youthful freedom they have encountered.
The revolutions of and played an important role in fueling this Ukrainian Renaissance and succeeded in enriching our national identity. Ukraine is now rightfully recognized as the largest democracy to emerge following the collapse of the Soviet Union three decades ago. This achievement did not come about easily. Independent Ukraine has experienced considerable political turbulence for many years, including two post-Soviet revolutions.
There is still much to do. Most of all, we must unite Ukrainians around the shared dream of a successful Ukraine. I believe this is possible. The energy I see in the new generation of Ukrainians gives me confidence in the future.
The Eurasia Center regularly convenes with regional leaders and key global figures to galvanize international support for a free, prosperous, and peaceful future in Eurasia.
Explore our events, debates, and flagship discussions below. It reconfirmed Ukraine as a civic nation able to mobilize and protest against abuses of power.
Despite many differences in opinion, most Ukrainians share a common instinct to protest against injustice. This has become a foundational political value for independent Ukraine. The Revolution of Dignity enabled Ukrainians to overcome ideological differences.
It created common ground between patriots, liberals, conservatives, and leftists. It also demonstrated that modern Ukraine is a political rather than ethnic or religious community. The revolution brought Russian-speakers and Ukrainian-speakers together in a spirit of solidarity along with Orthodox believers, Greek Catholics, Muslims, Jews, and people from a variety of other backgrounds.
UkraineAlert Aug 21, By Peter Dickinson. Since , Ukraine's two post-Soviet Maidan revolutions have helped define the country as an emerging democracy that seeks to escape from the orbit of authoritarian Russia and embrace Euro-Atlantic integration.
UkraineAlert Aug 23, But is this geopolitical divorce now final, or could Moscow still force Kyiv back into Russia's orbit? Ukraine marks 30 years of independence this week with much to celebrate and plenty to regret. The views expressed in UkraineAlert are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Atlantic Council, its staff, or its supporters.
My interest in radio led me to listen to Radio Kyiv. There I noted the evolution of its programming from reiterating Soviet propaganda to actual reporting from various viewpoints. I remember the buildup during the spring and early summer of , knowing that via shortwave radio I would get the news ahead of the US media. The background that I received at HUSI has allowed me to understand why creating a rule-of-law government from scratch has been difficult, I am proud of the progress of the Ukrainian State and look optimistically to the future.
One positive development for Ukrainian studies has been the opening of various archives to historical and political researchers. The access to these materials has led to significant scholarship on 20th century Ukraine and its role, even under Soviet domination. As a child of Ukrainian immigrants, I sharply recall how the independence of Ukraine as part of the break-up of the old Soviet Union was the day my parents had been hoping for and praying for every Sunday in their diaspora Ukrainian church in Melbourne, Australia.
Yet, when I asked them whether they rejoiced greatly, they admitted that independence was like a light switch that brought the entire room into view, at long last. It was thrilling, but then again, it was much like turning on the light in any dark room may reveal something of a mess that needs to be cleaned up! My parents passed away as political issues in independent Ukraine arose, one after the other. But they, like me, hoped that Ukraine would know what needs to be fixed.
Independence has brought with it a long, long maintenance project, politically speaking. What do I hope for? At first, I hoped as my late parents did that Ukraine would become a democracy similar to the United States or some stable Commonwealth country such as Australia or Canada. Now, as I witness how the manipulation of social media and fake news is sabotaging the democratic process, I now hope for something different. Perhaps Ukraine can build a new, more resilient type of 21st century democracy that can withstand sabotage efforts emanating from the internet and elsewhere.
A new type of resilient, open, and defensible democratic system is needed. Ukraine can perhaps find this new model, as an example for the world. Ukraine is a country with high potential and a variety of opportunities. On January 26, , President George W. Bush appoints Condoleezza Rice to the post of secretary of state, making her the highest ranking African American woman ever to serve in a presidential cabinet. A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Dr.
The Chicago-based Pinkerton Detective The dismembered body of Florence Polillo is found in a basket and several burlap sacks in Cleveland.
The year-old woman was the third victim in 18 months to be found dismembered with precision. At the request of President Jimmy Carter, the U. The action was in response to the Soviet military invasion of Afghanistan the previous month. The most decorated man of the war, American Lt. Audie Murphy, is wounded in France.
Born the son of Texas sharecroppers on June 20, , Murphy served three years of active duty, beginning as a private, rising to the rank of staff sergeant, and finally winning a battlefield Live TV.
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