Hello all,

I've just returned to Russia from a holiday in Ukraine (a wonderful place, I recommend it). Traveling there and back by train, I had the opportunity to talk to Ukrainians and Russians with links in both countries. There was some very lively debate about Ukrainian independence, in terms of its personal and political consequences. I've included some of what I heard in my latest article for Bella Online Russian Culture;

Accepting Change - Russians and the former Soviet States
A new world order meant brand new borders when the Soviet Union collapsed. As many former Soviet states look West, what does this mean for Russians with connections to these countries?

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art31545.asp

Please visit russianculture.bellaonline.com for even more great content about Russian Culture.

If you have a comment about what you've read, an experience to share or a question about Russia, come along to the forum, don't be shy! You can click here;

http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=314

I hope to hear from you sometime soon, either in the forum or in response to this email message. I thrive on your feedback!

Have fun passing this message along to family and friends, because we all love free knowledge!

Marianne Gibson, Russian Culture Editor
http://russianculture.bellaonline.com

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