Goodbye, good luck to Ukraine?

Frida Ghitis
Updated 7:53 AM EDT, Wed April 16, 2014
A man looks at a bullet shell next to a destroyed car after a gunfight between pro-Russian militiamen and Ukrainian forces in Karlivka, Ukraine, on Friday, May 23. Much of Ukraine's unrest has been centered in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, where separatists have claimed independence from the government in Kiev.
Crisis in Ukraine —
A man looks at a bullet shell next to a destroyed car after a gunfight between pro-Russian militiamen and Ukrainian forces in Karlivka, Ukraine, on Friday, May 23. Much of Ukraine's unrest has been centered in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, where separatists have claimed independence from the government in Kiev.
DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images
The body of a pro-Ukrainian militia fighter lies along a road in Karlivka on May 23.
Crisis in Ukraine —
The body of a pro-Ukrainian militia fighter lies along a road in Karlivka on May 23.
Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images
A woman walks past a destroyed car after Ukrainian government forces fired mortar shells during clashes with pro-Russian forces in Slovyansk, Ukraine, on May 23.
Crisis in Ukraine —
A woman walks past a destroyed car after Ukrainian government forces fired mortar shells during clashes with pro-Russian forces in Slovyansk, Ukraine, on May 23.
Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP
A pro-Russian activist carries a ballot box away from a polling station in Donetsk, Ukraine, as he prepares to smash it on May 23.
Crisis in Ukraine —
A pro-Russian activist carries a ballot box away from a polling station in Donetsk, Ukraine, as he prepares to smash it on May 23.
stringer/Photomig/AP
Local citizens help support a woman at a rally protesting shelling by Ukrainian government forces in the village of Semyonovka, Ukraine, on Thursday, May 22.
Crisis in Ukraine —
Local citizens help support a woman at a rally protesting shelling by Ukrainian government forces in the village of Semyonovka, Ukraine, on Thursday, May 22.
Alexander Zemlianichenko/ap
Bodies covered with blankets lie in a field near the village of Blahodatne, Ukraine, on May 22, as a Ukrainian soldier smokes next to his armored infantry vehicle.
Crisis in Ukraine —
Bodies covered with blankets lie in a field near the village of Blahodatne, Ukraine, on May 22, as a Ukrainian soldier smokes next to his armored infantry vehicle.
Ivan Sekretarev/ap
A Ukrainian soldier rests inside an armored personnel carrier at a checkpoint near Slovyansk on Wednesday, May 21.
Crisis in Ukraine —
A Ukrainian soldier rests inside an armored personnel carrier at a checkpoint near Slovyansk on Wednesday, May 21.
Petr Shelomovskiy/ap
Yekaterina Len cries outside her home after it was hit by mortar shells during fighting between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian soldiers in Slovyansk on Tuesday, May 20.
Crisis in Ukraine —
Yekaterina Len cries outside her home after it was hit by mortar shells during fighting between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian soldiers in Slovyansk on Tuesday, May 20.
Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP
A Ukrainian soldier stands guard on the road from Izium, Ukraine, to Slovyansk on Monday, May 19.
Crisis in Ukraine —
A Ukrainian soldier stands guard on the road from Izium, Ukraine, to Slovyansk on Monday, May 19.
GENYA SAVILOV/AFP/Getty Images
A new recruit gets his hair cut at a training camp for the Donbass Battalion, a pro-Ukrainian militia, in the Dnipropetrovsk region of Ukraine on May 19.
Crisis in Ukraine —
A new recruit gets his hair cut at a training camp for the Donbass Battalion, a pro-Ukrainian militia, in the Dnipropetrovsk region of Ukraine on May 19.
Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images
Pro-Russian armed militants guard a checkpoint in Slovyansk on May 19, blocking a major highway to Kharkiv.
Crisis in Ukraine —
Pro-Russian armed militants guard a checkpoint in Slovyansk on May 19, blocking a major highway to Kharkiv.
Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP
Pro-Russian militants detain three men on Sunday, May 18, in Kramatorsk, Ukraine. The men are suspected of spying for the Ukrainian government.
Crisis in Ukraine —
Pro-Russian militants detain three men on Sunday, May 18, in Kramatorsk, Ukraine. The men are suspected of spying for the Ukrainian government.
stringer/ap
A bodyguard of insurgent leader Denis Pushilin stands in front of a statue of Russian revolutionary Vladimir Lenin during a pro-Russia rally in Donetsk on May 18.
Crisis in Ukraine —
A bodyguard of insurgent leader Denis Pushilin stands in front of a statue of Russian revolutionary Vladimir Lenin during a pro-Russia rally in Donetsk on May 18.
Vadim Ghirda/AP
Pro-Russian militants guard a checkpoint outside Slovyansk on Saturday, May 17.
Crisis in Ukraine —
Pro-Russian militants guard a checkpoint outside Slovyansk on Saturday, May 17.
Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP
Employees of the Ukrainian company Metinvest clear away debris in a government building in Mariupol, Ukraine, on Friday, May 16, after pro-Russian separatists relinquished their hold on it.
Crisis in Ukraine —
Employees of the Ukrainian company Metinvest clear away debris in a government building in Mariupol, Ukraine, on Friday, May 16, after pro-Russian separatists relinquished their hold on it.
Evgeniy Maloletka/AP
Pro-Russian activists argue in Mariupol about how to thwart the upcoming Ukrainian presidential elections.
Crisis in Ukraine —
Pro-Russian activists argue in Mariupol about how to thwart the upcoming Ukrainian presidential elections.
John Moore/Getty Images
Pro-Russian gunmen take up positions to fight Ukrainian national troops at a checkpoint outside Slovyansk on Thursday, May 15.
Crisis in Ukraine —
Pro-Russian gunmen take up positions to fight Ukrainian national troops at a checkpoint outside Slovyansk on Thursday, May 15.
Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP
A mortar shell sticks out of the ground at a checkpoint near Slovyansk on May 15.
Crisis in Ukraine —
A mortar shell sticks out of the ground at a checkpoint near Slovyansk on May 15.
Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP
A man surveys the damage to his home after a mine exploded during an exchange of fire between pro-Russian militants and government troops outside Slovyansk on May 15.
Crisis in Ukraine —
A man surveys the damage to his home after a mine exploded during an exchange of fire between pro-Russian militants and government troops outside Slovyansk on May 15.
Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP
A man examines ballots at a printing house in Kiev, Ukraine, on Wednesday, May 14. The ballots will be used in early presidential voting on May 25.
Crisis in Ukraine —
A man examines ballots at a printing house in Kiev, Ukraine, on Wednesday, May 14. The ballots will be used in early presidential voting on May 25.
SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images
People collect mortar shells in front of a burnt-out Ukrainian military vehicle near Oktyabrskoe, Ukraine, on May 14.
Crisis in Ukraine —
People collect mortar shells in front of a burnt-out Ukrainian military vehicle near Oktyabrskoe, Ukraine, on May 14.
Ilia Pitalev/Kommersant via Getty Images
Two men collect parts of a Ukrainian armored personnel carrier, destroyed May 14 in what the Ukrainian Defense Ministry called a terrorist attack near Kramatorsk.
Crisis in Ukraine —
Two men collect parts of a Ukrainian armored personnel carrier, destroyed May 14 in what the Ukrainian Defense Ministry called a terrorist attack near Kramatorsk.
Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP
A member of a "self-defense" squad smashes a slot machine with a sledgehammer Monday, May 12, at an illegal club in Slovyansk.
Crisis in Ukraine —
A member of a "self-defense" squad smashes a slot machine with a sledgehammer Monday, May 12, at an illegal club in Slovyansk.
Pochuyev Mikhail/ITAR-TASS Photo/Corbis
People celebrate with fireworks in Donetsk on May 12 as separatists declared independence for the Donetsk region.
Crisis in Ukraine —
People celebrate with fireworks in Donetsk on May 12 as separatists declared independence for the Donetsk region.
Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP
Roman Lyagin, a member of a rebel election commission, shows referendum results to journalists at a May 12 news conference in Donetsk. Pro-Russian separatists staged the referendum asking residents in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions whether they should declare independence from Ukraine.
Crisis in Ukraine —
Roman Lyagin, a member of a rebel election commission, shows referendum results to journalists at a May 12 news conference in Donetsk. Pro-Russian separatists staged the referendum asking residents in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions whether they should declare independence from Ukraine.
Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP
An armed pro-Russian separatist takes up a position near Slovyansk on May 12.
Crisis in Ukraine —
An armed pro-Russian separatist takes up a position near Slovyansk on May 12.
ROMAN PILIPEY/EPA/LANDOV
A man with a "self-defense" unit checks people's identification in Slovyansk on Sunday, May 11.
Crisis in Ukraine —
A man with a "self-defense" unit checks people's identification in Slovyansk on Sunday, May 11.
Mikhail Pochuyev/ITAR-TASS/Landov
A person leaves a voting booth in Luhansk, Ukraine, on May 11. The Donetsk and Luhansk regions of eastern Ukraine voted on controversial referendums to declare independence from the government in Kiev. Acting Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov called the vote "propagandist farce."
Crisis in Ukraine —
A person leaves a voting booth in Luhansk, Ukraine, on May 11. The Donetsk and Luhansk regions of eastern Ukraine voted on controversial referendums to declare independence from the government in Kiev. Acting Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov called the vote "propagandist farce."
Evgeniy Maloletka/AP
Two men react after Ukrainian national guardsmen open fire on a crowd outside a town hall in Krasnoarmiysk, Ukraine, on May 11.
Crisis in Ukraine —
Two men react after Ukrainian national guardsmen open fire on a crowd outside a town hall in Krasnoarmiysk, Ukraine, on May 11.
Manu Brabo/AP
A Ukrainian woman votes at a polling station in Donetsk on May 11.
Crisis in Ukraine —
A Ukrainian woman votes at a polling station in Donetsk on May 11.
Manu Brabo/AP
Ukrainians line up to cast their votes at a polling station in Donetsk on May 11.
Crisis in Ukraine —
Ukrainians line up to cast their votes at a polling station in Donetsk on May 11.
Manu Brabo/AP
A voter casts her ballot in eastern Ukraine's independence referendum in Slovyansk on May 11.
Crisis in Ukraine —
A voter casts her ballot in eastern Ukraine's independence referendum in Slovyansk on May 11.
John Moore/Getty Images
An armed pro-Russian man sits below a flag of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic at the barricades on a road leading into Slovyansk on May 11.
Crisis in Ukraine —
An armed pro-Russian man sits below a flag of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic at the barricades on a road leading into Slovyansk on May 11.
Darko Vojinovic/AP
Black smoke billows from burning tires used to prevent government troops' armored personnel carriers from passing through in Mariupol on Saturday, May 10.
Crisis in Ukraine —
Black smoke billows from burning tires used to prevent government troops' armored personnel carriers from passing through in Mariupol on Saturday, May 10.
Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP
The mother of Dmitriy Nikityuk, who died in a fire at a trade union building during riots in Odessa, Ukraine, cries next to his coffin during his funeral on Thursday, May 8.
Crisis in Ukraine —
The mother of Dmitriy Nikityuk, who died in a fire at a trade union building during riots in Odessa, Ukraine, cries next to his coffin during his funeral on Thursday, May 8.
Vadim Ghirda/AP
A Ukrainian soldier keeps guard at a checkpoint near Slovyansk on May 8.
Crisis in Ukraine —
A Ukrainian soldier keeps guard at a checkpoint near Slovyansk on May 8.
VASILY MAXIMOV/AFP/Getty Images
A pro-Russian activist stands with a Russian national flag outside the regional Interior Ministry building in Luhansk on Wednesday, May 7.
Crisis in Ukraine —
A pro-Russian activist stands with a Russian national flag outside the regional Interior Ministry building in Luhansk on Wednesday, May 7.
Evgeniy Maloletka/AP
Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, right, inspects an armored personnel carrier in Slovyansk on May 7.
Crisis in Ukraine —
Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, right, inspects an armored personnel carrier in Slovyansk on May 7.
Andrew Kravchenko/AP
An armed pro-Russian separatist takes a position by the railway lines near Slovyansk on Tuesday, May 6.
Crisis in Ukraine —
An armed pro-Russian separatist takes a position by the railway lines near Slovyansk on Tuesday, May 6.
ROMAN PILIPEY/EPA/LANDOV
A relative mourns by the body of 17-year-old Vadim Papura during a service in Odessa on May 6. Papura died after jumping out of a burning trade union building during riots on May 2.
Crisis in Ukraine —
A relative mourns by the body of 17-year-old Vadim Papura during a service in Odessa on May 6. Papura died after jumping out of a burning trade union building during riots on May 2.
Vadim Ghirda/AP
A pro-Russian gunman holds his weapon while guarding the local administration building in Slovyansk on May 6.
Crisis in Ukraine —
A pro-Russian gunman holds his weapon while guarding the local administration building in Slovyansk on May 6.
Darko Vojinovic/AP
Pro-Russian supporters lead blindfolded men in front of the regional administration building in Donetsk on Monday, May 5.
Crisis in Ukraine —
Pro-Russian supporters lead blindfolded men in front of the regional administration building in Donetsk on Monday, May 5.
Evgeniy Maloletka/AP
Ukrainian policemen check documents at a checkpoint near the northeastern city of Izium on May 5.
Crisis in Ukraine —
Ukrainian policemen check documents at a checkpoint near the northeastern city of Izium on May 5.
SERGEY BOBOK/AFP/Getty Images
Ukrainian soldiers stand at a checkpoint near Slovyansk on May 5.
Crisis in Ukraine —
Ukrainian soldiers stand at a checkpoint near Slovyansk on May 5.
VASILY MAXIMOV/AFP/Getty Images
Pro-Russian Cossacks sit outside the regional administration building in Donetsk on May 5.
Crisis in Ukraine —
Pro-Russian Cossacks sit outside the regional administration building in Donetsk on May 5.
Evgeniy Maloletka/AP
Pro-Russian militants who were arrested during a Ukrainian unity rally are greeted on Sunday, May 4, after being freed by police in Odessa. The men released Sunday had been detained after bloody clashes in Odessa, which ended in a deadly blaze. Forty-six people were killed in the bloodshed.
Crisis in Ukraine —
Pro-Russian militants who were arrested during a Ukrainian unity rally are greeted on Sunday, May 4, after being freed by police in Odessa. The men released Sunday had been detained after bloody clashes in Odessa, which ended in a deadly blaze. Forty-six people were killed in the bloodshed.
ANATOLII STEPANOV/AFP/Getty Images
A pro-Russian militant reacts after being freed on May 4 in Odessa.
Crisis in Ukraine —
A pro-Russian militant reacts after being freed on May 4 in Odessa.
ANATOLII STEPANOV/AFP/Getty Images
Pro-Russian militants clash with police as they storm the police station in Odessa on May 4.
Crisis in Ukraine —
Pro-Russian militants clash with police as they storm the police station in Odessa on May 4.
DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV/AFP/Getty Images)
An Orthodox priest, in front of the administration building in Donetsk, blesses a pro-Russian activist May 4 as people gather to honor the memory of fallen comrades in Odessa.
Crisis in Ukraine —
An Orthodox priest, in front of the administration building in Donetsk, blesses a pro-Russian activist May 4 as people gather to honor the memory of fallen comrades in Odessa.
Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP
Red carnations are left inside the burned trade union building in Odessa on May 4. Flowers, candles and photos of the dead piled up outside the charred building, a day after brutal clashes and the fire claimed 46 lives.
Crisis in Ukraine —
Red carnations are left inside the burned trade union building in Odessa on May 4. Flowers, candles and photos of the dead piled up outside the charred building, a day after brutal clashes and the fire claimed 46 lives.
ANATOLII STEPANOV/AFP/Getty Images
Pro-Russian protesters light candles in Donetsk on Saturday, May 3, to honor the memory of fallen comrades in Odessa.
Crisis in Ukraine —
Pro-Russian protesters light candles in Donetsk on Saturday, May 3, to honor the memory of fallen comrades in Odessa.
Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP
A woman cries in front of the burned trade union building in Odessa on May 3.
Crisis in Ukraine —
A woman cries in front of the burned trade union building in Odessa on May 3.
Vadim Ghirda/AP
A man walks past burning tires near Kramatorsk on May 3.
Crisis in Ukraine —
A man walks past burning tires near Kramatorsk on May 3.
Jonathan Alpeyrie
Pro-Russian activists beat a pro-Ukraine supporter trying to save the Ukrainian flag that was removed from a flagpole outside the burned trade union building in Odessa.
Crisis in Ukraine —
Pro-Russian activists beat a pro-Ukraine supporter trying to save the Ukrainian flag that was removed from a flagpole outside the burned trade union building in Odessa.
ANATOLII STEPANOV/AFP/Getty Images
Pro-Russian protesters gather in Donetsk to honor the memory of comrades who died in Odessa.
Crisis in Ukraine —
Pro-Russian protesters gather in Donetsk to honor the memory of comrades who died in Odessa.
Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP
A portrait of Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin is part of a barricade in the center of Slovyansk on May 3. The city has become the focus of an armed pro-Russian, anti-government insurgency that aspires to give the eastern regions of Ukraine full autonomy.
Crisis in Ukraine —
A portrait of Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin is part of a barricade in the center of Slovyansk on May 3. The city has become the focus of an armed pro-Russian, anti-government insurgency that aspires to give the eastern regions of Ukraine full autonomy.
Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP
A pro-Russian activist sits in front of policemen guarding the burned trade union building in Odessa on May 3.
Crisis in Ukraine —
A pro-Russian activist sits in front of policemen guarding the burned trade union building in Odessa on May 3.
ANATOLII STEPANOV/AFP/Getty Images
People lay flowers and candles at the burned trade union building in Odessa on May 3.
Crisis in Ukraine —
People lay flowers and candles at the burned trade union building in Odessa on May 3.
ANATOLII STEPANOV/AFP/Getty Images
Ukrainian soldiers arrive to reinforce a checkpoint that troops seized Friday, May 2, in Andreevka, a village near Slovyansk. Two helicopters were downed Friday as Ukrainian security forces tried to dislodge pro-Russian separatists from Slovyansk, Ukraine's Defense Ministry said.
Crisis in Ukraine —
Ukrainian soldiers arrive to reinforce a checkpoint that troops seized Friday, May 2, in Andreevka, a village near Slovyansk. Two helicopters were downed Friday as Ukrainian security forces tried to dislodge pro-Russian separatists from Slovyansk, Ukraine's Defense Ministry said.
VASILY MAXIMOV/AFP/Getty Images
Police take cover under shields as pro-Russian activists storm the prosecutor's office in Donetsk on Thursday, May 1. Eastern Ukraine was a heartland of support for President Viktor Yanukovych, who was ousted in February.
Crisis in Ukraine —
Police take cover under shields as pro-Russian activists storm the prosecutor's office in Donetsk on Thursday, May 1. Eastern Ukraine was a heartland of support for President Viktor Yanukovych, who was ousted in February.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
A pro-Russian activist is wounded after storming the prosecutor's office in Donetsk and clashing with riot police on May 1.
Crisis in Ukraine —
A pro-Russian activist is wounded after storming the prosecutor's office in Donetsk and clashing with riot police on May 1.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
Pro-Russian activists storm the prosecutor's office in Donetsk on May 1. Police fired tear gas and stun grenades in an effort to disperse the activists.
Crisis in Ukraine —
Pro-Russian activists storm the prosecutor's office in Donetsk on May 1. Police fired tear gas and stun grenades in an effort to disperse the activists.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
An injured Pro-Russian activist speaks with an armed protester during clashes with police in front of the regional administration building in Donetsk on May 1.
Crisis in Ukraine —
An injured Pro-Russian activist speaks with an armed protester during clashes with police in front of the regional administration building in Donetsk on May 1.
Evgeniy Maloletka/AP
Pro-Russian activists storm an administration building in the center of Luhansk on Tuesday, April 29.
Crisis in Ukraine —
Pro-Russian activists storm an administration building in the center of Luhansk on Tuesday, April 29.
Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP
Pro-Russia militants, armed with baseball bats and iron bars, hold flares as they attack people marching for national unity in Donetsk on Monday, April 28.
Crisis in Ukraine —
Pro-Russia militants, armed with baseball bats and iron bars, hold flares as they attack people marching for national unity in Donetsk on Monday, April 28.
Alexander KHUDOTEPLY/AFP/Getty Images
Detained observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe arrive to take part in a news conference Sunday, April 27, in Slovyansk. Vyacheslav Ponomarev, the self-declared mayor of Slovyansk, referred to the observers as "prisoners of war."
Crisis in Ukraine —
Detained observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe arrive to take part in a news conference Sunday, April 27, in Slovyansk. Vyacheslav Ponomarev, the self-declared mayor of Slovyansk, referred to the observers as "prisoners of war."
VASILY MAXIMOV/AFP/Getty Images
Ukrainian troops stand guard behind a barricade made of sandbags at a checkpoint about 30 kilometers (20 miles) from Slovyansk on April 27.
Crisis in Ukraine —
Ukrainian troops stand guard behind a barricade made of sandbags at a checkpoint about 30 kilometers (20 miles) from Slovyansk on April 27.
KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images
Relatives and friends of a man killed in a gunfight participate in his funeral ceremony in Slovyansk on Saturday, April 26.
Crisis in Ukraine —
Relatives and friends of a man killed in a gunfight participate in his funeral ceremony in Slovyansk on Saturday, April 26.
KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images
U.S. troops arrive at an air force base near Siauliai Zuokniai, Lithuania, on April 26. The United States is conducting military exercises in Poland, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania. The exercises are, in part, a response to the ongoing instability in Ukraine.
Crisis in Ukraine —
U.S. troops arrive at an air force base near Siauliai Zuokniai, Lithuania, on April 26. The United States is conducting military exercises in Poland, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania. The exercises are, in part, a response to the ongoing instability in Ukraine.
PETRAS MALUKAS/AFP/Getty Images
Ukrainian government troops in armored vehicles travel on a country road outside the town of Svyitohirsk in eastern Ukraine on April 26.
Crisis in Ukraine —
Ukrainian government troops in armored vehicles travel on a country road outside the town of Svyitohirsk in eastern Ukraine on April 26.
Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP
Pro-Russia armed militants inspect a truck near Slovyansk on Friday, April 25. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused the West of plotting to control Ukraine, and he said the pro-Russia insurgents in the southeast would lay down their arms only if the Ukrainian government clears out the Maidan protest camp in the capital, Kiev.
Crisis in Ukraine —
Pro-Russia armed militants inspect a truck near Slovyansk on Friday, April 25. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused the West of plotting to control Ukraine, and he said the pro-Russia insurgents in the southeast would lay down their arms only if the Ukrainian government clears out the Maidan protest camp in the capital, Kiev.
Sergei Grits/AP