As I write, all hell is about to break loose in Ukraine.
Part of the second Jenny Parker novel, Proceeds of Crime, is set in Ukraine and I have a lot of sympathy for the plight of the Ukrainian people. In the book, Jenny befriends a Ukrainian girl who has found a husband in the UK through a 'Romance Tour' or 'find a bride service'. Her twin sister hasn't been so lucky, though. She's gone missing after a similar attempt to get to the prosperous West.
The situation highlights the disparity in wealth between the Ukraine and the UK. The Ukrainians are often so desperately poor that they will do anything to get to the UK. And I mean anything.
The recent events, the protests in Kiev, the shootings and the ousting of the Russian-friendly president are all a result of the Ukrainians being desperate to improve their economic situation. Many of them feel that this will be achieved by establishing closer ties with the EU. The Russians don't want this to happen.
I hope and pray that the situation will be resolved peacefully and that good sense and humanity will prevail.
photo credit: Stuck in Customs via photopin cc
