The month of December 2013 is likely to be recorded as a decisive turning point in the history of Ukraine -- for better or for worse. Vladimir Putin and his cronies are doing their utmost to either subjugate or dismantle Ukraine. The massive Euromaidan demonstrations in Kyiv, initiated to pressure the government to honour its commitment to sign the European Association Agreement, has now morphed into a country-wide struggle against the corruption endemic within Ukrainian society.

During the past 22 years, the criminal element (Mafia) has entrenched itself in all the power structures -- government (Yanukovych, Azarov), political parties (Party of Regions), economy (billionaire Oligarchs), education (Tabachnyk), the legal system (courts, judges, prosecutors, detention centres), the police (Berkut, Militia, road police, SBU) and perhaps the military. This has led to Ukrainians having the lowest standard of living in Europe. In the past, Ukrainians were looking for salvation in Europe, America and/or Russia. Now they are looking into their own souls. The new Maidan has proposed a complete country-wide restructuring of Ukrainian society. May God help them.