Last weekend, Ukraine was hit by mass protests against the Ukrainian government’s decision to halt the association process with the EU a week before the Vilnius summit. Demonstrations erupted with a greater force after a crackdown by the police on Independence Square in Kiev on Saturday. Activists took over the Kiev Mayor’s Office. They have blocked the government’s building. The opposition demands Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov's resignation. The police are gathering in the capital.
Fyodor Lukyanov, Chairman of the Presidium of the Council for Foreign and Defense Policy and Editor-in-Chief of Russia Global Affairs magazine, emphasized that the events in Kiev and Ukraine were triggered by the unexplainable crackdown. He noted that the Svoboda Party and its leader Oleg Tyahnybok were the main activists at the opposition, proving radicalization of the demonstration.
Lukyanov said that the government was in a very unpleasant situation. It needs to prove its authority with violence to prevent the disorders from spreading. The expert calls it a risky move that may trigger a conflict with Europe. He added that there were talks about a compromise. But the protests shifted from outraged caused by the failed signing of the association agreement to demands for resignation of the government.
Vladimir Zharikhin, Deputy Director of the Institute for CIS States, expressed confidence that the protests will continue for a very long time. He reminded that the protests against Kuchma had lasted for weeks. He added that the hardest moment for Yanukovych had been the previous night, during the clashes outside the the president’s administration building. Zharikhin believes that a revolution is possible but there are no signs of one yet.
Last weekend, Ukraine was hit by mass protests against the Ukrainian government’s decision to halt the association process with the EU a week before the Vilnius summit. Demonstrations erupted with a greater force after a crackdown by the police on Independence Square in Kiev on Saturday. Activists took over the Kiev Mayor’s Office. They have blocked the government’s building. The opposition demands Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov's resignation. The police are gathering in the capital.Fyodor Lukyanov, Chairman of the Presidium of the Council for Foreign and Defense Policy and Editor-in-Chief of Russia Global Affairs magazine, emphasized that the events in Kiev and Ukraine were triggered by the unexplainable crackdown. He noted that the Svoboda Party and its leader Oleg Tyahnybok were the main activists at the opposition, proving radicalization of the demonstration.Lukyanov said that the government was in a very unpleasant situation. It needs to prove its authority with violence to prevent the disorders from spreading. The expert calls it a risky move that may trigger a conflict with Europe. He added that there were talks about a compromise. But the protests shifted from outraged caused by the failed signing of the association agreement to demands for resignation of the government.Vladimir Zharikhin, Deputy Director of the Institute for CIS States, expressed confidence that the protests will continue for a very long time. He reminded that the protests against Kuchma had lasted for weeks. He added that the hardest moment for Yanukovych had been the previous night, during the clashes outside the the president’s administration building. Zharikhin believes that a revolution is possible but there are no signs of one yet
