1. Revolution or ‘crime against the state’?
by Christina Bontioti
Sunday, 02 February 2014
Over two months have passed since the Euromaidan, the name given to the wave of
demonstrations that continue to shake Ukrainian politics to its core, began in late November
2013. What are the demands of the demonstratorsthat made them take to the streets? There
are many sides to consider before we can begin to answer this question.
The clash between protesters and police in Independence Square is ongoing.
Some of the factsare that Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovychabandonedthe European
integration pact that was supposed to be signed in November. Following this, Ukraine
receivedamulti-million dollar package fromRussia. Thisturn of eventsindicated that
President Yanukovychclearly followsthe Russian schoolof governance and that Ukraine is
now heavily reliant on Russia to save its suffering economy fromcollapsing. However,
although many Ukrainian people went to Independence Square, in the capital of Kiev, as a

2. form of protest against an anti-European foreign policy, it was Yanukovych’sdomestic policy
that exacerbatedthe protests. In an attempt to suppress the demonstrations that broke out,
the President introducedanti-protest laws as well as laws that severely curtailedmedia
rights. This was the final blow for many hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians who then
joined the protest in Independence Square.
The preexistingproblems many Ukrainians had with their democratically electedPresident
were numerous and clearly ledto this outbreak. Many of the demonstrators are fighting for
their rights, which they see being violatedand takenaway from them by Yanukovych, andnot
just for European integration. When the Government decidedto respond to the localrallies
and peacefuldemonstrations that broke out in November with the Berkut, part of the
Ukrainian militia, these anti-Government and anti-corruptionriots erupted.
There is clear consensus as far as the focus of the protests goes: President
Yanukovych.
The infamous ‘Family’, an informal power circle consisting of the officialsclosest to
Yanukovych, isone of the most important sourcesof discontent in the country asit greatly
affectsthe economy and the media. This has resulted in the unavailability of impartial media,
which has meant that the Internet is the main source of news for many people. Journalists,

3. such as Tatiana Chernovol, have allegedly been persecutedby the government for not
adhering to these rules of propaganda. Yanukovychissaid to have introduceda vertical
power structure in Ukraine, using intimidation and corruptionto subdue opposition. Thisis
believedto be the root of the political dilemma facedby the Ukrainian people: there is a weak
opposition. There is no one party that can claim to represent the protestersand negotiate on
their behalf, which greatly reducesthe options they have of demanding change. But although
the Russian foreignminister, Sergey Lavrov, calledfor no European interference in
Ukrainian affairs and the Ukrainian prosecutor general, Viktor Pshonka, said that “This[the
protest]is a crime against the state", boththe European Union and the United Stateshave
condemned Yanukovych’sactions, calling the laws anti-democratic and threatening with
sanctions if they are not repelled.
Molotov cocktails are prepared in stations like this one.
What will happen hereafter is very uncertain, neverthelessthe situation in Independence
Square forebodesaclash that is not likely to end from the part of the people. Althoughthe
Berkut use water cannons, grenades, tear gas and intimidation tactics, the protestorsare
fighting for their rights, a promise too great to let noxioussmoke and wet clothesincapacitate
them, evenin temperatures belowzero.

4. On the protesters'side of the barricade volunteersprovide dry clothesand foodwhile make
shift equipment and weapons are continuously beingprepared; the clash is not expectedto
end soon.
ARTICLEANDIMAGE SOURCES
http://zyalt.livejournal.com/984735.html#cutid1
http://www.businessinsider.com/understanding-euromaidan-2014-1
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/20/ukraine-police-protesters-clash-kiev
http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21591642-viktor-yanukovychs-botched-
crackdown-protests-maidan-seemed-defy-common-sense
http://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2014/jan/23/ukraine-anti-government-
protester-stripped-naked-police-video
http://dailyglobe.com/45767/ukraine-president-yanukovych-offers-key-concessions-
opposition/