[GUEST ACCESS MODE: Data is scrambled or limited to provide examples. Make requests using your API key to unlock full data. Check https://lunarcrush.ai/auth for authentication information.]  JP Lindsley | Journalist [@JPLindsley](/creator/twitter/JPLindsley) on x 23.1K followers Created: 2025-07-23 06:59:42 UTC KYIV—The mood in Ukraine at this moment is one of protest. In major non-frontline cities, where one has some notice before Russian missiles can hit, people last night gathered to protest an action by the government [see🎥⬇️]. And word everywhere is that today's demonstrations, or "meetings," will be even larger. The Ukrainian soul, as I've observed these past three years, is one of democracy in its truest sense: the best check and balance is the Maidan: people taking to the squares to protest in an orderly war—no violence or looting. America and Europe could learn from this. As for the substance of the protests: People are upset that Zelenskyy and the Parliament moved to remove independence of the two anti-corruption boards. But the frustration was building: especially in recent days with the government arresting a journalist and many other actions. Ironically, in the nation of guy who first devised a constitution of checks and balances (Pylyp Orlyk in the 18th century), Ukraine's constitution is nothing like the balanced brilliance of the US constitution—which was specifically written to contain even a Nero. In the past day, many Ukrainian civil society leaders and foreign media have contacted me privately saying they are frustrated and upset with the government. In the war, I have never seen such widespread frustration. This is notable—but let's also note that it's quite amazing Ukraine has gone XXX years of full-scale Russian invasion without such a moment. Some leading people, including Dmytro Kuleba, who as Zelenskyy's foreign minister in the first years of the full-scale war was a prominent public face of Ukraine in American media, have mades statements on the side of the protestors: It's "a bad day for Ukraine," he said, in reference to the government's actions. Kuleba wrote these powerful words: "I understand that for many in power, the Dignity Revolution [of 2014] is just an annual social media post. But for millions of people it was a sacrifice for justice. ... Now the President has a choice—to stand on the side of the people or not too." As I reported the day of the Oval Office kerfuffle, Ukrainians are always critical of the powerful. Pretty much every day here, from the front line to Lviv, as I travel the country, people of all sorts always have criticism of the government. And they contained it publicly largely to help the victory effort. But—nonviolent, non-looting protests are Ukraine's big thing. That's a real democracy—and it reminds people of why they are fighting. Maybe that's the good thing here. Russians—and Europeans and Americans--don't seem to know how to have a nonviolent but steadfast protest. And contrary to what CRAZY LADY @RepMTG says, these protests are not about the war. These protests are the very things that Russia is trying to stop: DEMOCRATIC FREEDOM and REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT. A friend told me yesterday that beloved prior presidnet Yushchenko had pushed for Ukraine to create an upper house, something like the House of Lords [a depository to CONTAIN and RESTRAIN powerful people] or a Senate [a hopefully wiser advisory body] or a Council of Hetman [a nice Ukrainian style]. Such things are great ideas—but only when you have the freedom from daily ballistic missiles to deliberate. It's heavy times. It's confusing to foreigners. Zelenskyy's statement surely has not dispelled concerns: It's hard to make sense of for foreign media. But Kyiv this bright, beautiful morning is as calm and cheerful as it is even after a major soul-shattering Russian missile strike. And so I have high confidence in the will of the Ukrainians—the same will that has kept them HOLDING ON all these years of Russia's full-scale war, and of Ukraine's FULL-SCALE RESISTANCE.  XXX engagements  **Related Topics** [ukraine](/topic/ukraine) [Post Link](https://x.com/JPLindsley/status/1947914501359034870)
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JP Lindsley | Journalist @JPLindsley on x 23.1K followers
Created: 2025-07-23 06:59:42 UTC
KYIV—The mood in Ukraine at this moment is one of protest. In major non-frontline cities, where one has some notice before Russian missiles can hit, people last night gathered to protest an action by the government [see🎥⬇️]. And word everywhere is that today's demonstrations, or "meetings," will be even larger.
The Ukrainian soul, as I've observed these past three years, is one of democracy in its truest sense: the best check and balance is the Maidan: people taking to the squares to protest in an orderly war—no violence or looting. America and Europe could learn from this.
As for the substance of the protests: People are upset that Zelenskyy and the Parliament moved to remove independence of the two anti-corruption boards. But the frustration was building: especially in recent days with the government arresting a journalist and many other actions.
Ironically, in the nation of guy who first devised a constitution of checks and balances (Pylyp Orlyk in the 18th century), Ukraine's constitution is nothing like the balanced brilliance of the US constitution—which was specifically written to contain even a Nero.
In the past day, many Ukrainian civil society leaders and foreign media have contacted me privately saying they are frustrated and upset with the government. In the war, I have never seen such widespread frustration. This is notable—but let's also note that it's quite amazing Ukraine has gone XXX years of full-scale Russian invasion without such a moment.
Some leading people, including Dmytro Kuleba, who as Zelenskyy's foreign minister in the first years of the full-scale war was a prominent public face of Ukraine in American media, have mades statements on the side of the protestors: It's "a bad day for Ukraine," he said, in reference to the government's actions.
Kuleba wrote these powerful words: "I understand that for many in power, the Dignity Revolution [of 2014] is just an annual social media post. But for millions of people it was a sacrifice for justice. ... Now the President has a choice—to stand on the side of the people or not too."
As I reported the day of the Oval Office kerfuffle, Ukrainians are always critical of the powerful. Pretty much every day here, from the front line to Lviv, as I travel the country, people of all sorts always have criticism of the government. And they contained it publicly largely to help the victory effort.
But—nonviolent, non-looting protests are Ukraine's big thing. That's a real democracy—and it reminds people of why they are fighting. Maybe that's the good thing here. Russians—and Europeans and Americans--don't seem to know how to have a nonviolent but steadfast protest.
And contrary to what CRAZY LADY @RepMTG says, these protests are not about the war. These protests are the very things that Russia is trying to stop: DEMOCRATIC FREEDOM and REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT.
A friend told me yesterday that beloved prior presidnet Yushchenko had pushed for Ukraine to create an upper house, something like the House of Lords [a depository to CONTAIN and RESTRAIN powerful people] or a Senate [a hopefully wiser advisory body] or a Council of Hetman [a nice Ukrainian style]. Such things are great ideas—but only when you have the freedom from daily ballistic missiles to deliberate.
It's heavy times. It's confusing to foreigners. Zelenskyy's statement surely has not dispelled concerns: It's hard to make sense of for foreign media.
But Kyiv this bright, beautiful morning is as calm and cheerful as it is even after a major soul-shattering Russian missile strike.
And so I have high confidence in the will of the Ukrainians—the same will that has kept them HOLDING ON all these years of Russia's full-scale war, and of Ukraine's FULL-SCALE RESISTANCE.
XXX engagements
Related Topics ukraine