While most of the news coverage has
depicted the wins and loses at this year’s 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi,
many reporters have begun to turn their cameras towards the unrest and protest
occurring throughout Ukraine.
The reasons for the demonstrations
and civil unrest in Ukraine go back to the begging of 2012. In late March of that year, the European
Union (EU) and Ukraine underwent an Association Agreement. The EU would only agree
to sign the agreement if the Ukraine agreed to a few stipulations that included
the imprisonment of two Ukrainian politicians.
Fast-forward over a year later in August
2013, Russia changed its customs regulations on their imports from Ukraine and
stopped all good coming from them. Ukrainian politicians viewed this change as
a way for Russia to prevent the Ukraine from signing the agreement with the EU.
Three months later, in late November, the Ukrainian government suspended their
arrangement to sign the agreement. On the same night, protests began in the
streets of the capital, Kiev.
Since the protests began four months ago,
the movement has been given the name Euromaidan,
translated literally means “Eurosquare.” The protesters are demanding
European integration from their government. Some civilians are even pushing for
the impeachment of the Ukraine president, Viktor Yanukovych and his government.
Different demonstrations have taken place
across the country, mainly residing in Kiev. In early December, over 50,000
protestors joined together in Lviv and linked arms around the Taras Schevchenko
monument. Multiple public figures and even politicians joined in the
demonstration with the protesters. In late January, activists occupied many of
the governor buildings and regional council buildings.
As the protests continue on, the
demonstrations and demands grow larger, as does the death toll. Just this past
Thursday, a demonstration of pro-Euromaidan in the capital resulted in police
intervention. Instructed by their own government, they were ordered to shoot
anyone who would not comply with their demands. The protest ended with 39
civilians dead, bringing the death toll of just the past three days up to 67.
Now, the Ukrainian is stating they will
soon be forced to us military force if the situation doesn’t die down and
quickly. President Obama released a statement warning against military
involvement saying “We have been watching very
carefully and we expect the Ukrainian government to show restraint, to not
resort to violence in dealing with peaceful protesters.”
I think I’d have to agree with our president on this occasion.
For starters, I think government involvement would only cause more uproar. The
death toll is already climbing without the military. If they bring in tanks,
thousands will lose their lives. The president is supposed to be a
representation of his/her people, so why doesn’t the Ukraine government sign
the agreement? Unfortunately, he’s got a powerful parliament who is unwilling
to comply with the EU. Hopefully, the Ukraine president takes Obama’s warning
and works out a compromise between the people and government before more
innocent people are killed.
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