Ukraine Update

The protestors ignored the new accord that promised constitutional reform, a coalition government and an early election. Instead, without any shots being fired, they moved out of the capital city’s streets and Independence Square, entered the area where the government buildings are concentrated and occupied all the relevant buildings. Facing this bloodless coup, “President Viktor F. Yanukovych fled Kiev on Saturday [February 22^nd] to denounce what he called a violent coup, as his official residence, his vast, colonnaded office complex and other once impregnable centers of power fell without a fight to throngs of joyous citizens stunned by their triumph.

“As President Yanukovych’s nemesis, former Prime Minister Yulia V. Tymoshenko, was released from a penitentiary hospital, Parliament found the president unable to fulfill his duties and exercised its constitutional powers to set an election for May 25 to select his replacement. But with both President Yanukovych and his Russian patrons speaking of a ‘coup’ carried out by ‘bandits’ and ‘hooligans,’ it was far from clear that the day’s lightning-quick events were the last act in a struggle that has not just convulsed Ukraine but expanded into an East-West confrontation reminiscent of the Cold War.

“In the capital, protesters carrying clubs and some wearing masks were in control of the entryways to the presidential palace Saturday morning, and watched as thousands of citizens strolled through the grounds, gazing in wonder at the mansions, zoo, golf course and enclosure for rare pheasants, set in a birch forest on a bluff soaring above the Dnieper River.” New York Times, February 22^nd.

Think it’s over? In 1956, as Hungarians celebrated their overthrow of the Communist incumbents, Soviet troops and tanks invaded and crushed the revolution (above), reinstalling the puppet communist regime. Could Russia be contemplating a parallel move? If asked by Yanukovych to intervene? Do they have to wait until the Olympics are over? Or will they relent and let this pro-
Western rebel force take control of this neighboring country, where about 7.7 million (out of 46 million) ethnic Russians live? Will the West counter if the Russian military attacks? Applies other non-military sanctions? Stay tuned. The fat lady is nowhere near the microphone!

I’m Peter Dekom, and remember that Russian President Vladimir Putin doesn’t tolerate humiliation very well.