If you have loved ones living in The Ukraine right now,

[MineralMan]

and you have any influence with them, please consider encouraging them to leave until what is going on there is resolved. The likelihood of violent conflict there is real and growing. That is especially true in the larger cities away from the Crimean Peninsula. Whatever position the United States takes in this conflict, Americans will not be popular with one or the other faction there.

So, people studying there, visiting there, or who are there on long-term assignments of some kind need to look out for their own safety. Wisdom would dictate travel very soon to a safer location. Expect the State Department to issue a travel advisory in the coming days.

[Loudly]

1. It makes me wonder what fraction of any nation's population holds a passport.

Probably a fairly small percentage. Just a guess.

[MineralMan]

2. I don't know. I'm more concerned with Americans living there.

They have passports, and should think about using them to go elsewhere for the time being.