General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsUkraine: The key groups and people (the best summary I have seen.As accurate as I have read.***)
*** Of all the summaries, this is as complete and accurate as I have read. I am sure there are discrepancies. We may never know all the players involved and how)
Whos who: These are the key figures and groups in Ukraines political crisis
We've seen the apocalyptic images of anti-government demonstrations in Kyiv. In the last week, the death toll spiked, rising to at least 77 dead after violent clashes broke out between protesters and police. Independence Square, known as Maidan, resembles a medieval battleground with encampments, barricades, raging fires and hundreds to thousands of armed and armor-clad fighters.
The end of the week, however, has brought with it a tentative respite in the form of a political deal. Ukraines president agreed to call early elections. And the countrys parliament, dominated by the presidents own party, voted to roll back presidential powers.
It all began three months ago when Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych reversed course last minute and abandoned a far-reaching trade agreement with the EU. Instead, he chose to pursue a closer economic partnership with Russia. Protests only gathered in force and number after police raided a peaceful demonstration of mostly sleeping students on Nov. 30.
Its tempting to reduce the situation to a geopolitical tug-of-war between pro-Russian and pro-European factions. The reality is more nuanced but also more basic. Ukrainian journalists explain what the ongoing demonstration known as Euromaidan means to them:
We want to live in an honest and fair country, where individual rights are respected, where you can freely express your views and not be afraid of the police, where courts are just and cannot be bought, where there is real competition in business and opportunity to earn [money] in an honest way.
Thats why we want a full reset of the system of government . We want to live in a country where the government knows that human dignity is supreme.
The civil unrest has brought together groups across Ukraines political spectrum united in government opposition but not necessarily sharing the same objectives. The protests have also drawn the notice of the international community. And it's all a long way from being sorted.
Here are the key players to watch as Ukraine attempts to put the pieces back together.
The key players and groups:
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/politics/140221/ukraine-kyiv-kiev-key-people-figures-groups-political-crisis
tsuki
(11,994 posts)will find out that Yatsenyuk is the puppet the US wants installed as president. Is he another Pinochet or Shah? And why are we trying to pick the next Ukrainian President?
Are_grits_groceries
(17,111 posts)The article points out that it's not a simple black and white choice.
We shouldn't be messing about with anything, but that 's never stopped the US or Russia from meddling. And Putin is meddling whether some like that definition or not.
For the record, I don 't believe that Yanukovich's departure is any panacea. In fact, this is an extremely dangerous period because there is a power vacuum of sorts.
The choices for leadership are a decidedly mixed bag. However, Yanukovich threw the fat into the fire by beginning to restrict some of the rights people began to enjoy. Not signing the EU agreement was one thing. The other seemed to hearken back to the old repressive governments and the general populace in the west wanted none of it.
tsuki
(11,994 posts)want to join with either the Germans or Russians. 13% were unsure. There is history there.
Russia backs Yanukovich
Germany (EU) backs Klitschko
US backs Yatsenyuk
Tymoshenko is Ukrainian. She has not been released from jail, and I doubt she will before elections.
When Yatsenyuk is installed, the protesters will become terrorists, and the heel will be on the neck of the Ukrainians.
tsuki
(11,994 posts)in Independence Square. Vows to run for President.
Are_grits_groceries
(17,111 posts)There will be many twists and turns before this settles down if it ever does.
Sarah Ibarruri
(21,043 posts)The party followers that rioted were led by a former Prime Minister who was not re-elected. The followers of that Prime Minister who was not re-elected being royally pissed off that she wasn't re-elected. And here they are today.