Unrest in Ukraine

[Defiance]

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/02/20/world/europe/ukraine-protests/index.html

So. Lots of violence. Check it out:

http://i.imgur.com/ONotkiL.jpg

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26257542

 

[Insoulent]

I was watching this on CNN yesterday at a bar, but couldn't hear it. I saw the graphic of something about a truce, but I guess not. It's sad, it's partly the fault of the protesters for really egging on the guys with guns by following them as they retreated, and also in part from the armed guys for letting their sense of "duty" and "political power" get ahead of personal opinion and civil liberty of the protesters.

I really hope the situation finds a peaceful means, and admittingly I don't know too much about the Ukraine's government, but if it's as corrupt as the Russian government system, I can see why they're protesting. It's very hard for the President and politicians to lose power and influence over others, enough so that they become paranoid and greedy when change comes. And there's also a subtle underlying feeling that maybe the next government won't be better, and how long it might take to really calm down after such chaos. Anyway, I'm just hoping it gets resolves with at least casualties as possible.

 

[Minuteman75]

It is tragic with what's going on in Ukraine. I sure hope this situation doesn't spark into civil war.

 

[Blaxican]

m.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26284505

 

[Cortan]

To provide some context, a month or so back, Ukraine was considering a deal that would enable closer trade relations with the European Union, but at the last moment Ukraine's President instead opted for a deal with Russia instead. People protested in large numbers with allegations of corruption and calls for the President to step down, and things have pretty much worsened as time has gone on, and its become a general chance for many Ukrainians to express their grievances against their government, whether by peacefully protesting, or deciding that what the police apparently need right now are molotovs to their faces. Truces have been called previously, only to fall apart when it was perceived that the government failed to give enough concessions, or when hard right-wingers have nevertheless pushed forward with aggression.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26289318

A deal's been signed to reinstate the 2004 constitution and hold early elections, and reduce Presidential powers. Whether or not this will be enough to satisfy all protesters on the street, is still to be seen.

 

[Kiro]

Yeah. The country might be facing a civil war. Which I dearly hope won't come true.

 

[Blaxican]

www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ukraine-protest-20140221,0,1284200.story

 

[Brandon Rhea]

At least one statue of Lenin was also toppled.

 

[Minuteman75]

Wow looks like the tide had turn in favor for the protesters for now. Though I am nervous of what the Russians may do to Ukraine since their key ally there had just been kicked out of office. They really hate losing influence over the nations they once ruled over.

 

[Blaxican]

Nothing, for now. Putin's worked hard with the Olympics to try to pass on the idea that Russia is apart of the global community. Plus, Tymoshenko is extremely pro-EU (also a bit of a MILF). If she wins the election (which seems likely), Ukraine might as well be an honorary member of the EU, which is something Putin won't touch.

 

[Horizon]

Personally, I think this has to run its course. Their aggression is something they've locked up for some amount of time and now it's spilling out. It takes some kind of conviction to rally people together to cause the destruction along with the police fighting back.

Now that she's free, we'll see how it goes.

 

[Wing]

Way, we get to see more of Tymoshenko's hair styles. Anyways, hopefully violence settles.

 

[Jason Vaiken]

Well, my grandfather lost a lot of friends during the Encirclement of Kiev during World War II. But yeah from what he told me the Ukrainians rely on a Natural Gas pipeline, which is mostly in Russia. Every time Ukraine tries to do this the Russians remind them that we control this pipeline. So they backdown, the only difference is that now the people are standing up.

Edit: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kiev_(1941), here's the link if you're interested in reading about it.