Stalemate in Ukraine
January 31, 2014
In an attempt to calm the turmoil roiling Ukraine, President Viktor Yanukovych today signed into law a bill granting amnesty to protesters who have been detained by the government. However, the offer requires opposition forces to first vacate government buildings they have occupied. Opposition forces rejected the bill, arguing that the law essentially makes hostages of the detainees, who, they say, must be freed without any conditions.
The unrest in Ukraine began on November 21 when President Yanukovych backed out of proposed political and free trade accords that would have moved the country closer to the European Union (EU). Experts on the situation in Ukraine note that to most Ukrainians, the West represents freedom, democracy, and prosperity. International affairs experts suggest that Yanukovych feared that moving Ukraine closer to the EU could trigger painful reprisals from Russia, Ukraine’s largest trading partner. During a natural gas price dispute in 2009, Russian President Vladimir Putin cut off the flow of natural gas to Ukraine, leaving the country without heat during a particularly cold January. Russia has dominated Ukraine on and off for more than 200 years. Because of its fertile soil, Ukraine was once described as Russia’s breadbasket. Three protesters and three police officers have died since the protests turned violent on January 22.
Ukraine's flag adopted in 1992, has two horizontal stripes, blue and yellow (top to bottom). The blue stripe symbolizes the sky, and the yellow stripe symbolizes the wheat fields of Ukraine. The coat of arms dates from the late 900's and features a trident (three-pointed spear). (Flag artwork © 2014 Dream Maker Software; World Book illustration)
Earlier this week, Yanukovych accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Mykola Azarov and his Cabinet. He also offered senior positions to the opposition, who refused the offer. Yanukovych’s move followed a vote by the Ukrainian parliament to repeal recently passed legislation that, among other measures, banned the wearing of helmets by protesters and the blockading of public buildings. Negotiations between the authorities and the opposition on ending the crisis have stalled. On Thursday, Yanukovych announced he had contracted a serious respiratory illness and went on leave.
Additional World Book articles:
- Kiev
- Kuchma, Leonid Danylovich
- Viktor Yushchenko
- Ukraine 2004 (a Back in Time article)
- Ukraine 2005 (a Back in Time article)
