What Real Russians Think About Ukraine Crisis

The Writer

Acclaimed author Ludmila Ulitskaya, 71, is worried by Russia's takeover of Crimea and what she fears is the start of a new Cold War.

"The ownership of Crimea has always historically been a difficult question. The fact that this was done now and the way it was done really does not make me happy. It will be an event that will not be favorable for Russia in the next few years. Will Russia be able to ensure a quality of life for Crimea that it had before it joined Russia? It is unknown. The whole civilized world is seeing this as an annexation and a take-over."

"There have been several statements that I think have been completely unnecessary, and exclusively threatening, and the results of these are a Cold War. And God forbid it becomes a hot war."

"We cannot speak about pride now, because we have completely lost face. All these events have caused us to lose face and the world has lost respect for us...on the other hand we live here and this is our country. In order for it not to be so shameful, we need to speak about the different opinions that exist in this country, that are not like that of the state. So that the world would know that not all of Russia is united by an impulse to turn the world into radioactive dust, and to show that a large amount of people do not like this, and do not like this rhetoric."