Ukraine protest leaders name ministers, Russian troops on alert

[FarCenter]

In Kiev, leaders of the popular protests that toppled Yanukovich named former economy minister Arseny Yatseniuk as their choice to head a new interim government.

In a display of people power, the so-called 'Euromaidan' council made its announcement of Yatseniuk, and candidates for several other key ministries, after its members addressed crowds on Independence Square.

...

The council named career diplomat Andriy Deshchytsya as foreign minister. Oleksander Shlapak, a former economy minister and former deputy head of the central bank, was named as finance minister. Andriy Paruby, head of the "self-defense" force protecting the Kiev protest zone from police action during the three months of conflict, was named secretary of the powerful National Security and Defence Council.

"This is a government which is doomed to be able to work only for 3-4 months ... because they will have to take unpopular decisions," Turchinov said.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/26/us-ukraine-idUSBREA1G0OU20140226

[pampango]

1. Glad they have at least an interim government though it won't be in office long with

elections coming up in May.

Ukraine's protest leaders on Wednesday named ministers they want to form a new government following the overthrow of President Viktor Yanukovich, as Russia put troops on high alert in a show of strength.

President Vladimir Putin's order to 150,000 troops to be ready for war games near Ukraine was the Kremlin's boldest gesture yet after days of sabre rattling since its ally Yanukovich was ousted at the weekend.

Moscow denied that the previously unannounced drill in its western military district was linked to events in its neighbor but it came amid a series of increasingly strident statements about the fate of Russian citizens and interests.

I don't think Russia has much to fear from the Ukrainian army.

[Comrade Grumpy]

2. The thugs are now the cops? This should end well.

"Andriy Paruby, head of the "self-defense" force protecting the Kiev protest zone from police action during the three months of conflict, was named secretary of the powerful National Security and Defence Council."

Okay, this is a bit confusing. It appears the "Euromaidan council" of demonstrators has made its selections. But the rump parliament hasn't made its selections.

[FarCenter]

3. The rump parliament will rubber stamp this tomorrow.

No chance that they will go up against the Euromaidan Council.

Paruby is in the Batkivshchyna party, i.e. Tymoshenko's party.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batkivshchyna

[RobertEarl]

4. Thugs are the police

For 3 months the people Occupied the Maidan in peace. Then the thug/cops attacked. It was the end, then.

If Russia invades they will meet a brick wall and be defeated. How stupid is Putin? We shall see. I doubt he is stupid enough to invade. These Ukrainians are not like the wussy Americans who are awash in luxury, these Euromaidians are fed up and have nothing to lose.