Ukrainian Riot Police Officers Pose For A Picture

Ukrainian riot police officers pose for a picture near burnt-out vehicles as smoke rises during clashes with pro-European protesters in Kiev on Wednesday. Reuters

My Comment: Regular readers of this blog know that I have family in Kiev and in eastern Ukraine and like much of the country my family is split on what is happening. The younger generation (my cousins children) want political reforms and a more pro-EU position while the older generation (like my moms) favor closer ties to Russia. As to what is my position .... I want both to happen. Ukraine needs Russian gas and financial aid, and it needs access to EU markets and the influence of it's democratic institutions. Unfortunately .... my position is not tenable in the environment that now exists in the country. No one is interested in compromise, and both sides are now digging in. As to what is my prediction on what will happen next .... I expect the economy (or what is left of it) to collapse and a state of emergency to be declared in the next few weeks.