Anyone been to Рівне (Rivine), Ukraine? It is a far western part of Ukraine. I have many messages with people from there so I've decided that is where I will set my future adventures. Is there anything I should be aware of? I'm currently learning Russian (not so well).
I spend 5 days there last summer, brought my girl from Zaprodyzie (spelling) with me, we were strictly tourist and enjoyed the charm of the old world buildings and cobblestone streets (everywhere). As far as dating... I haven't a clue but it is a very nice place to visit. Beware!!! Your Russian language will not make you welcome there... they will despise you if you don't speak Ukrainian... trust me, they hate communist there
I did have someone from western Ukraine repeatedly tell me, Russian is not to be trusted. It is unfortunate because Russian language is widely known in Eastern Europe. I think a lot of them can read, listen and understand Russian fluently than English. I don't have any options to learn Ukrainian language.
I am pretty confident, that there is no adult in Ukraine who understands Ukrainian, but not Russian. But I know for a fact, there are some Ukrainians (yes, in western Ukraine) who PRETEND not to understand Russian -- it as a sort of expression of their nationalist zeal.
Before my first trip to Ukraine -- its 6th anniversary is a day or two from now -- I told my Ukrainian friends, that I was thinking it would be better to study Russian than Ukrainian, because it is spoken and understood by so many more people. They agreed without hesitation.
And the Ukrainian family I know best (in Kyiv) speak plain Russian at home. I don't think that this is at all unusual.
I've been studying Russian fairly seriously since 2006, and can manage a fair range of practical communication. I'm still learning, and intend to continue my studies.