By Brett Daniel Shehadey
Special Contributor for In Homeland Security
After signing a peace accord yesterday with the political opposition, today Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych exited Kiev; possibly headed for his home town in Kharkiv; eastern Ukraine near the Russian border. His aides have reportedly fled as well.
More of Saturday’s highlights in Ukraine:
Protestors seized the presidential office and thousands stormed onto the presidential residence.
Yankuovych called this social uprising against him and his government a “coup d’état” and “vandalism.” A recalcitrant Yankukovych stated: “They are trying to scare me. I have no intention of leaving the country. I am not going to resign, I’m the legitimately elected president.”
After voting for new elections in which Yanukovych would stay on as president or the better part of the year, parliament unanimously voted to impeach him and strip him of his powers. They have re-assumed the authority to choose the Prime Minister and the cabinet as well; according to the 2004 constitution that Yanukovych signed yesterday after its passage.
Early presidential elections were scheduled for late May.
Already a new speaker of Parliament, Oleksandr Turchynov was chosen.
Police left the center of Kiev and other locations unguarded and said they would not get involved and that they sided with the people.
Ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko was freed from prison. “This is your victory because no politician, no diplomat could do what you have done, you have removed this cancer from this country,” said Tymoshenko. “Remember their sacrifices” she told them. “Now you have a right to rule this country and decide for this country. Ukraine has an opportunity to build its own future today.”
US President Barack Obama spoke with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin today. The White House says the two had “exchanged views on the need to implement quickly the political agreement” and “the need for all sides to refrain from violence.”
With President Yanukovych literally out of control of office, Russia suspends the $15 billion dollars in aid. Before, Russia stated that Ukraine could choose which direction it wanted to move for itself and that the loans would not be affected. But that was when their man Yanukovych, who had signed the agreement with Russia, was still in control, had more presidential authority and was not in retreat.
Nevertheless, Yanukovych has found more than sanctuary in the Eastern part of the state. In his home town of native Russian speakers, the waning and already impeached President could attempt to stay in power or split the country further. But Ukraine is already split by language and allegiance. The West speaks Ukrainian and wants political independence. That means the moving with Europe. The East speaks Russian and is more comfortable with strong Russian relations and minor concessions. But the president’s next step may be prison too.
The EU and the US have stated that the only viable economic option for Ukraine now is to side with them; especially since Russia suspended its aids in the form of loans.
Now we wait and see what Vladimir Putin does after the soft side of hosting the Olympic Games on Russian soil, which end tomorrow.
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