The revolution that is going on in Ukrainian started when violent events started to happen for example violent protesting and rioting. The issue is with Russia and Ukraine. Many of these protesters have been really upset and the situation has gotten bloody between the people and the police. Many of these protests against Yanukovych. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is becoming bigger with these protesters.
The image below demonstrates the conflict in the square as well as provides links to websites that explain the current conflict:
Background Information:
Maidan Square: A famous square located in the capital of Ukraine, Kiev; it has been the site of many political protests throughout Ukraine’s history. A symbol for Ukraine’s hard past, its name has changed with the passing of Czarist, Soviet, and independent regimes. Analogous to Cairo’s Tahrir Square, in times of struggle and unrest the people of Ukraine have gone to Maidan in order to vocalize their anger. While a symbol for protest, it is also in the middle of the city and hub for the metro, being a crossroads for the people to come and go.
Why is this important?
Thousands of Ukrainians went out to protest after Ukraine President Yanukovych strengthened ties with Russia and rejected the accord with the European Union, something to would direct Ukrainian development toward European values and also something that many Ukrainians had been hoping for because of the existing corruption. However, protests became heated after the police brutally separated the protesters.
The conflicting opinions between East and West could be further amplified if the protests continue and as western diplomats continue to show support for the protesters. Still, Ukraine has not been offered a place within the European Union. The West has not taken a definitive step towards figuring out the future of Ukraine, though they have talked about their concern for the violence happening in the protests. Even so, it would be economically beneficial to Western Europe to keep Ukraine out of the power of Russia, especially since there are key gas pipelines running through Ukraine.
An Ethnic Issue
Ukraine is divided into two major ethnic areas: the East and the West. In the East there exists a Russian majority in the populous; these people associate themselves with Russia and identify primarily as Russians. The people on the West are Ukrainian born citizens who identify with their country of birth. This has created long standing social tensions between Ukraine and Russia. This line that divides the country exists a few miles east of the capital: Kiev. Thus, much outcry is centered in the capital, including the mass shooting that took place in Maidan Square.
A Geographic Issue
Ukraine is situated just to the west of Russia, and is a convenient location for Russia to establish themselves in since if it were a part of Russia, then it would act as a buffer country between Russia and the rest of eastern Europe. They justify this by dictating the liberation of “Russians” from Ukraine. The Russians in question are the Ukraine citizens that associate themselves ethnically with Russia, and live in the eastern parts of the country.
What it Boils Down to:
As a result of both the benefits the buffer country that Ukraine would provide, also given the history of Soviet control in the country, it would be a common thought for Russia to seek an installment of Russian power back into Ukraine, especially given Putin’s regime, which is reminiscent of Soviet times in Russia. There is, what Russia feels, excellent justification when they invade Ukraine because they feel that they are under a moral obligation to free their citizens and bring them home to their mother country. However, personal ethics aside, invading another country is a sign of war, which is viewed harshly by the United Nations; however, people are scared to go to war. Ever since World War 2, there is a widespread fear of war. No country likes to lose it’s people for apparently no reason, and appeasement is typically a highly combated alternative, in which countries give certain leverages in order to settle and aggressor’s terms. What appears to be happening now is a withdrawal of United Nations support in the physical sense. There are no troops being sent to help the eastern front of Ukraine. Ukraine is left to deal with Russia alone.
How Ukrainian geography creates conflict 