Local Ukrainian Community Unites for a Free Ukraine
The Ukrainian community closely watched as developments unfolded in their country.
"Everyone keeps calling it a coup," said Daria Chaikovsky. "It's not a coup. It is just people that have had enough of the corruption that's happening, of the lies, of everything they're being told is not true."
The board members of the Ukrainian Art Center were supposed to meet Tuesday to discuss expansion plans. But the only issue on their mind was what was happening back home.
"In my mind, this is history repeating itself," said Olenka Karupa. "We've seen it over and over. Russia does have a mandate; it's never changed. When we see them coming into Crimea, you know that's just the beginning."
"Putin wants to attempt to have a new Soviet empire and he's really a peacock spreading out his feathers.
Many expressed their disdain for the Kremlin but not Russians.
One Ukrainian shop owner in Santa Monica said Russia and Ukraine are like family.
"It's East, East Ukrainian and South Ukrainian," said Olga Tseryabina. "It's Russian people. It's one family. It's no war."
