Rebellion. Violence. Overthrowing a government.

Over the last few months, Ukraine has been in turmoil. This started a little bit before the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia. The country is in turmoil because they wanted to oust the current president, Victor Yanukovych. The president’s government rejected a far reaching accord with the European Union in November 2013 in favor of stronger ties with Russia.

According to www.bbc.com, police are attacking student protestors, severe new anti-protest and abduction and beating of opposition activists. the causes of the deadly attacks in February was, 77 people were killed in 48 hours and 600 were wounded.

Even though the students and faculty are miles away from this turmoil, many still have concerns about what’s happening and any possible US involvement.

Jeff Long, a staff member, believes that the invasions in Russia are not a good thing.

“The reason that Putin is doing this is for the ethnic Russians that were being treated bad. The United Nations signed a treaty, that Putin is going against, says they have no longer have leverage against Russia.” He said, “The president is indecisive and the nation doesn’t care about what Obama says because he won’t back it up.”

On November 21, 2013, the Russian government announces an EU Association Agreement is being abandoned, prompting major protests in Kiev, Ukraine. November 30, marker the when the police launched a raid on student protestors. January 28, marked the first two deaths of the protests.

Helen Kennestra, another staff member, feels bad for the people in Ukraine.

“United Nations should come in and the United States should not be handling it. Since Russia put up their flag, I feel, the US should say something when we are supposed to be the strongest country. I am glad Obama said something and Ukraine should be able to vote. Russia shouldn’t have their flag flying in Ukraine, Ukraine’s flag should be flying,” she said.

Anthony Angelozzi, a US history teacher, believes that currently, the US faces a tricky situation regarding the crisis in the Ukraine.

“Ukraine’s president has been disposed and the leader of Russia, Vladimir Putin, is looking to assert himself in the region.Many Americans fear Russia’s future agenda and do not trust Russia’s maverick leader Vladimir Putin”, said Angelozzi. “Republicans have continuously criticized Barack Obama as being too soft and allowing Putin to exert power without resistance. On the other hand, Democrats stress the importance of careful diplomacy in order to avoid getting the US into military conflict over an issue that is not that important to most Americans.”

President Obama issued a statement denying the right of the people of Crimea to join Russia. The main fear that the US government has is Putin using Russian military might to recapture old Soviet Union possessions. Complicating matters further, Europe receives a majority of its oil from Russia so any military conflict in the region would have sever effects on world oil prices.