Tensions in Ukraine Rise, Unification Efforts Needed
By Sonya Karabel
Photo by Internet
Over the last month, long-standing tensions have exploded in Ukraine. This has led to huge protests and the ousting of the president. Events escalated quickly in the revolution, and the turmoil is certainly not over. The Ukrainian people who wish for a more European style government have taken to the streets in Kyiv, where they have already started to create change but have also been met with great resistance.
The former president, Viktor Yanukovych, was widely criticized by the Ukrainian people. One of the main policies that created conflict was a set of laws that restricted protest and freedom of assembly. These laws included provisions banning certain parts of the internet, restricting certain types of speech, and forbidding protesters from wearing helmets, which led to some Ukrainian demonstrators wearing colanders and other makeshift helmets to protect themselves from police violence.
Early protests were nothing serious, but once Yanukovych tried to suppress them, the discontent escalated rapidly. There was overwhelming police brutality, by which many people have been killed. Of course, the fighting went both ways, but it is the responsibility of the government to create peace, rather than further violence.
This conflict is not as simple as the people rising up against a harsh dictator. Yes, Yanukovych used harsh tactics and consolidated governmental power, but there are also geographic divisions at play in Ukraine. Historically, Ukraine has been controlled by Russia, directly or indirectly, and the election maps of Ukraine are split east-west in a way similar to how United States election maps are split north-south.
It isn’t just the historic control that contributes to the divide. People in western Ukraine are generally wealthier and more educated. An economy and political system like that of Western Europe would benefit them, and the European Union is offering Ukraine support to help with this transition. However, in the east, where there is more poverty but also a few very wealthy people, the economy is similar to Russia’s — and when Russia is offering to expand this by extending its inequality and dictatorial tendencies in government to Ukraine, it becomes the right of the Ukrainian people to rise up against their government.
Recently, Russia has begun to call the revolution “a seizure of power,” and has brought troops into Ukraine’s southern Crimean peninsula, causing Ukraine to mobilize its army. While Russia has an interest as Ukraine’s neighbor and historical ally, it is not their business to invade.
This situation will hopefully evolve to head in the direction of freedom and sovereignty. Despite the problems with past leadership, it is important for Ukraine to avoid the danger of slipping into a potentially worse governmental structure.
Crises, whether they be economic, political, or natural, tend to be an opportune moment for fascists to creep into power. Ukraine must be watchful that this is not what happens in the current power vacuum.