Amidst many political standoffs and riots, Ukraine has been the center of media attention all around the world. Tension has been intensifying between two groups: those who want a government separate from that of Russia’s, and those who want the current government to sustain power. This conflict has also divided Ukraine into east and west sides.
The west side of Ukraine, whose main city is Kiev, is known for heavily favoring former President Viktor Yanukovych in the 2010 elections for president. He was dethroned by the Ukrainian parliament last month, and a new interim ruler was set in place for the meantime. Yanukovych supported assimilation into Russia, and was met with strong resistance.
In eastern Ukraine, there is a strong favor towards the then Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. Tymoshenko was jailed by Yanukovych shortly after losing the presidential race, and she was not heard from for a couple of years.
When Yanukovych edged Tymoshenko out of the presidential race, Tymoshenko made sure that a statement was made by gathering up her supporters to spark a change among the nation, and starting a revolution very similar to that of the American Revolution. Tymoshenko had been in jail for about two and a half years and was just released in late February of this year. The response that she received was resounding cheers from the forces that are fighting for an unchanged Ukrainian government, independent of Russia and their militaristic oppression. The Russian military will have nothing of the sort,however, and have invaded with troops, tanks and other militaristic devices in order to curb rebel forces.
Now, the main concern is with the self-governing Crimean peninsula, that has been effectively divided by the Russian and Ukrainian protesters. Through all of this, President Obama has stepped up and has delivered a statement saying that the U.S. will cut off all diplomatic relations with Russia if militaristic action is taken. Ukrainian interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk is to meet with President Obama to discuss further actions and other possible concerns surrounding the conflict.
Sources:
CNN
USA Today