Sounds like you are too blunt. Never tell them no. Listen to their problem and just reply with a 'Id have to look into that', or an 'I can come over when I get a chance'. If they persist, have a couple projects they can help you out with and tell them 'sorry Id love to help, but Im (going to the dump / painting the kitchen / gotta do seasonal yard work / etc). If they offer to help you, then you are kinda on the hook to help them. If they dont follow through... you can subtly bring it up (still gotta move that couch). You dont have to be a dick about it. It can be fun messing with folks.
Honestly I'm tech support for some people, but I need help with some of the more advanced stuff, so I have a tech guy too.
What happened 10 years ago in the east? Was it Russia invading due to oil reserve discoveries?
I know Ukrainians. I know eastern Ukrainians who protested against Yanukovych and were shot at so he could keep his gold loves of bread. I also know Russian/Ukrainians whose families emigrated to Ukraine after the USSR ethnically cleansed Crimea of the Tartars. Ukraine is a place with a complex past and lots of internal issues. But those issues are INTERNAL. They should have the right to work them out themselves. Russia invaded for oil and natural gas resources, plus the black sea ports. The rest is propaganda.