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Tag: viktor yanukovych

  • Ukraine Parliament Now In Control–Or Is It?

    As intense, bloody, and controversial as political revolutions can be, many agree that ousting the hated figure of the moment is in actuality the easiest part.

    What comes next is far more challenging: Stabilizing the country and uniting millions of people under a new government. Particularly a new government that is a true separation from what so many were fighting against rather than simply being the old regime in new clothes.

    This reality is what many fear for the heavily divided Ukraine. Even now, it’s not quite certain who is in charge as Kiev is still occupied by thousands of anti-government protesters.

    President Viktor Yanukovych fled the capital as protesters seized control, and yet refuses to resign. He intends to fight the alleged coup from a safe distance.

    The Associated Press learned that Yanukovych has settled his entourage in Kharkiv, Ukraine, located in a more Pro-Russian area of the country.

    In Yanukovych’s absence, his Region’s Party’s stranglehold on the Ukrainian parliament has virtually withered away.

    The government body is firmly in the hands of Yanukovych’s opponents. Over the weekend the government body stripped Yanukovych’s remaining government allies of various positions and voted for early elections to take place on May 25th. Heading Parliament at present is speaker Oleksandr Turchinov. Turchinov received an overwhelming majority of the votes as to who should act as president in place of Yanukovych.

    This decision has huge ramifications for the recently freed Yulia Tymoshenko, as Turchinov is a major supporter of hers. Tymoshenko was a huge player in Ukrainian politics about a decade ago, best known for the 2004 Orange Revolution. Some suspect that Tymoshenko may seize this chance to make a return to power.

    Putting her in office may go a long way towards stabilizing the power structure of Ukraine. However, the legitimacy of recent decision-making and even the ongoing redistribution of power is uncertain.

    In order to make these sweeping changes, the emboldened parliament is falling back on a 10-year-old constitution alleged to grant greater power to the parliament. However, Yanukovych claims that because he himself did not sign off on the constitution they are using, everything that is happening right now is completely illegitimate and unconstitutional.

    A major player that has not made its presence felt is the Ukrainian military, which has remained neutral. Should matters escalate, a military coup is entirely possible.

    With so many persons moving into position for “a power play”, it’s possible that an even bloodier tug of war is on the way. It can only be hoped that sensible steps are being taken towards a more stable and united Ukraine.

    Image via YouTube

  • Ukraine President Refuses To Resign, Claims Coup

    After going missing during the night, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has turned up some distance from the opposition-controlled capital.

    Yanukovych is now in Kharkiv, described by CNN as a “pro-Russian stronghold”. He went on television to condemn the anti-government forces that had taken over Kiev. The president described the capital as the site of “vandalism” and “crime”. He claims he had no choice but to leave, as Kiev was the scene of a “coup”.

    “What I am going to do next,” vowed Yanukovych, “is to protect my country from the split, to stop the bloodshed. I don’t know how to do it yet. I am in Kharkiv and I don’t know what I am going to do next.”

    Yanukovych would not comment on questions regarding an attempt to flee the country, as was reported by members of the Ukrainian government earlier in the day.

    According to statements by Sergei Astakov, the head of Ukraine’s Border Guard Service, the fleeing Ukrainian president and his entourage had indeed made an unsuccessful attempt to get out of Ukraine.

    Astakov claims the group tried to board a charter flight in the eastern city of Donetsk. Unfortunately for Yanukovych, they lacked the proper paperwork. Security forces who went to check documentation encountered the armed group, who attempted to bribe their way out of the situation.

    Astakov told CNN that after the the inspector refused to take their money, Yanukovych and his entourage exited the plane.

    In a bizarre turn of events, Vitaliy Zakharchenko, the dismissed interior minister, was turned away from the same airport while attempting to leave the country after also unsuccessfully attempting to bribe border officials.

    Yanukovych remains in Ukraine, but despite his position as president, it is unclear how long he will have the title. The Ukrainian Parliament voted to oust Yanukovych and hold new elections on May 25th.

    Image via Youtube

  • Ukraine Signs Controversial Pact With Russia

    Earlier today Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych signed agreements with Russian President Vladmir Putin that anti-government protesters in Ukraine have been dreading.

    Ukraine has been struggling economically, with the European Union slow to respond to the country’s plea for financial aid. Despite the organization’s skepticism regarding Ukraine’s intentions, they remain highly critical of Russia’s attempts to interfere.

    When Ukraine initially reached out to the EU, Russia moved to sanction the country. This action is thought be the cause for President Yanukovych’s unexpected decision to walk away from a pact agreement with the European Union. This surprise move last month sparked national outrage. There have been weeks of anti-government protest in Kiev, centered around the capital city’s Independence Square.

    In the face of major backlash, Yanukovych appeared to be rethinking his position. There was a plan to resume talks towards some sort of agreement with the European Union. However, those talks were called off by Union officials.

    The reason given for the halt revolved around a lack of honesty and transparency on the part of the Ukrainian government. There was also the matter of Yanukovych’s plan to meet with Russia.

    Despite the talks with the European Union being put on hold, Yanukovych proceeded to meet Putin in Moscow to discuss possible agreements. Once there, the Russian president assured Yanukovych that Russia would do its best to help Ukraine face its financial woes. In return for strengthening ties through a pact, Russia would buy $15 billion dollars worth of Ukrainian government bonds. It would also cut the cost of Russian gas deliveries from $400 per 1000 cubic meters to about $268 per 1000 cubic meters.

    The agreement would stave off immediate economic woes. Even so, the controversial pact will only serve to contribute to turmoil within Ukraine. In the aftermath of the pact, Ukrainian anti-government protesters vowed to continue demonstrating. There are calls for Yanukovych to step down and for early elections to take place.

    Ukrainian opposition leaders had harsh words for the embattled president. Oleh Tyahnybok called the president a traitor who had sold out the Ukrainian people. Vitali Klitschko accused Yanukovych of making the country’s assets collateral for Russia.

    Russia plans to put the terms of the agreement into action and will begin buying Ukrainian government bonds this month.

    Image via World News

  • Vitali Klitschko To Run For President Of Ukraine

    World boxing champion Vitali Klitschko is planning to do big things outside of the ring. In a statement released by the World Boxing Council the Ukrainian giant announced that he will run for his country’s presidency for the year 2015.

    If Klitschko were to win the presidency he would bring some flair to the office, not to mention a little of an intimidation factor. After all, it is unlikely that an enormous man with the nickname “Dr. Ironfist” would hear many advisors tell him no. Adding to that factor is the fact that Klitschko plans to continue boxing, even if he were to win the election.

    According to early estimates 15.9% of the country supports Klitschko for the office, which is the highest of any candidate. That’s not too shabby for someone who just got into politics last year, during which his party won 42 parliamentary seats.

    A quote from the WBC explained the situation wholly: “Vitali explains that he wants to keep participating in politics and run for the presidency of his country, Ukraine, in 2015, and that boxing has greatly helped prepare him for this.”

    Klitschko will challenge the incumbent Viktor Yanukovych, and will only have his party’s full support if he reaches a second round of voting.