RRI Live!

Listen to Radio Romania International Live

Ukraine and the Avatars of Democracy

Initially started to protest the Ukrainian governments decision to stop the countrys rapprochement with the EU in exchange for getting closer to Russia, the demonstrations in the Ukraine have radicalized their message, becoming the expression of the fig

Ukraine and the Avatars of Democracy
Ukraine and the Avatars of Democracy

, 29.01.2014, 13:03

As we all know, the major political crisis in Ukraine was triggered by the refusal of president Viktor Yanukovici’s regime to sign the association and free trade agreements with the European Union. The announcement was made in November, during an Eastern Partnership summit where Ukraine was expected to be the prom queen. Apparently trying to get closer to Europe, the power in Kiev unexpectedly changed direction towards Russia. Ukraine’s sudden move shocked the European Union and generated outrage among the pro-European Ukrainians.



As the crisis got deeper, the stake of the open conflict between the leftist government and the pro-western opposition went beyond the limits of a strategic foreign policy choice and identified itself with democracy. That is because the Yanukovici regime chose to retort by tough anti-protest legislation to generally non-violent street demonstrations.



The endorsement of these laws radicalized the protesters and led to an expansion of the protest movement to other cities and even to violent clashes between protesters and the riot police in Kiev. Under the pressure of protesters and the Western countries, the Ukrainian parliament repealed the laws that restricted basic freedoms of speech, movement and assembly and stipulated jail sentences for those who blocked public institutions.



The Unites States, concerned about the evolutions in Ukraine, hailed the step back taken by the Ukrainian parliament and the prime minister’s resignation, a move aimed at easing the path towards a political resolution of the crisis. Mentioning the issue during his State of Union Address, US President Barack Obama reconfirmed that Washington supported the principle according to which the people has the right to express itself in a free and peaceful manner.



To Canada however, the country that first recognized Ukraine’s independence in 1991, the actions of the power in Kiev are insufficient. For this reason, Ottawa has decided to deny access to the Canadian territory of all Ukrainian leaders who green lighted the repressive measures against protesters. In Bucharest, the Romanian Foreign Ministry officials have announced they are watching closely the evolutions in Ukraine while monitoring the situation of the Romanian community in this country.



The Romanian community in Ukraine is made up of around half a million people, who live in the western part of the country. The Romanian community is not facing any risks at the moment, according to the Romanian Foreign Ministry. The Romanian authorities are pleading for dialogue as a means to resolve the crisis and continue to be actively involved in the debates regarding Ukraine, held within the European and Euro Atlantic institutions.

Newsflash
Newsflash Saturday, 23 November 2024

November 23, 2024

A roundup of local and international news.   ELECTIONS – The election campaign for the first round of the presidential elections held on...

November 23, 2024
Signing of the protocol (foto:
Today in the News Friday, 22 November 2024

Transition program towards F-35, launched

The Romanian Air Force’s transition program to 5th generation aircraft has been launched.   Romania’s decision to acquire advanced fighter...

Transition program towards F-35, launched
Energy (foto: EdWhiteImages / pixabay.com)
Today in the News Friday, 22 November 2024

The National Energy Strategy, adopted

Using local resources, reducing imports and making massive investments in production capacity are important elements of the new National Energy...

The National Energy Strategy, adopted
European Commission (photo: © European Union - Source: EC - Audiovisual Service / Photographer: Christophe Licoppe)
Today in the News Thursday, 21 November 2024

Political agreement on the new European Commission

    The leaders of the three major political groups in the European Parliament have given the green light to the members of the next...

Political agreement on the new European Commission
Today in the News Thursday, 21 November 2024

13 for Romania

    In Romania, presidential elections usually spark the greatest interest and emotions. Even more so this year, when the two rounds of the...

13 for Romania
Today in the News Wednesday, 20 November 2024

Romania’s natural gas, available for trading

On Tuesday, the Romanian company Romgaz launched its first issue of bonds on the Bucharest Stock Exchange, worth 500 million EUR. Romgaz is the...

Romania’s natural gas, available for trading
Today in the News Tuesday, 19 November 2024

Romania ahead of the presidential election

Next month, President Klaus Iohannis will end his second and last five-year term in office according to the Romanian Constitution. The so-called...

Romania ahead of the presidential election
Today in the News Tuesday, 19 November 2024

Romania’s Prime Minister on a visit to Brussels

NATO welcomes Romania’s continuous efforts and its significant contribution to strengthening the Alliance and Euro-Atlantic security, NATO...

Romania’s Prime Minister on a visit to Brussels

Partners

Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român
Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS
Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online
Institului European din România Institului European din România
Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti
Muzeul Național de Artă al României Muzeul Național de Artă al României
Le petit Journal Le petit Journal
Radio Prague International Radio Prague International
Muzeul Național de Istorie a României Muzeul Național de Istorie a României
ARCUB ARCUB
Radio Canada International Radio Canada International
Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti” Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti”
SWI swissinfo.ch SWI swissinfo.ch
UBB Radio ONLINE UBB Radio ONLINE
Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl
creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti
italradio italradio
Institutul Confucius Institutul Confucius
BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți

Affiliates

Euranet Plus Euranet Plus
AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters
Digital Radio Mondiale Digital Radio Mondiale
News and current affairs from Germany and around the world News and current affairs from Germany and around the world
Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona

Providers

RADIOCOM RADIOCOM
Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company