how did the unrest in ukraine begin?
The unrest was caused by many different reasons, but it can be divided into three main significant issues.
The first reason that caused the unrest was because of the broken promise of the president. President Yanukovych had long promised to integrate Ukraine with the European Union by signing sweeping political and trade agreements. However, in November, he refused to sign.
Second is a lingering Cold War-era fight between Russia and the West for influence over countries in Eastern Europe still suffering from political and economic problems rooted in the Soviet era.
Third is searing public outrage over the government’s sometimes brutal response to the street protests that followed the president’s about-face on ties with the European Union. The crackdowns deeply contradicted Ukraine’s post-Soviet national identity as a peaceful, pluralistic society.
The first reason that caused the unrest was because of the broken promise of the president. President Yanukovych had long promised to integrate Ukraine with the European Union by signing sweeping political and trade agreements. However, in November, he refused to sign.
Second is a lingering Cold War-era fight between Russia and the West for influence over countries in Eastern Europe still suffering from political and economic problems rooted in the Soviet era.
Third is searing public outrage over the government’s sometimes brutal response to the street protests that followed the president’s about-face on ties with the European Union. The crackdowns deeply contradicted Ukraine’s post-Soviet national identity as a peaceful, pluralistic society.
who is president yanukovych, and why has he fled?
President Yanukovych is the current president of Ukraine. Many Ukrainians are not very happy with his decisions because he has broken an important promise which was to integrate Ukraine with the European Union. This has created many angry Ukrainians which continuously caused them to threat the president. The president says he has fled his country because of the immediate threats of his own and his family's safety.
Who are the protesters?
The protesters are the Western Ukrainian people and some other Pro-Russian protesters.
why did the unrest escalate in the past two weeks?
Because the president has fled his country there are new elections being held and also riots.
What role do Russia and the west play in the Ukrainian crisis?
Russia can have mainly four different roles: Instigation, management (financial, informational, and technological), withdrawal of political support, and lastly, a return to a veiled posturing in Crimea. The West also plays the same role.
How do You think the conflict will end?
I think the conflict will end very badly. The country may become separated and turn into pieces of land owned by different countries. This can happen because Ukraine doesn't have as much power and many powerful countries will come in and take over the land. I think in the end Russia will have half of Ukraine and Europe will have the other half.