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It's not so much about whether they speak Russian or not. Eastern Ukraine is just generally closer ideologically to Russia whereas Western Ukraine prefers to ma
by mtrimpe 13y ago
It's not so much about whether they speak Russian or not. Eastern Ukraine is just generally closer ideologically to Russia whereas Western Ukraine prefers to maintain close ties with Europe.
You can see that reflected quite clearly in the split between west and east in where the protests are.
In general the president is supported by the eastern part of Ukraine, but is also a convicted criminal who sent the previous president to jail on trumped up charges (which is what's blocking their entry into the EU.)
FWIW, the linked presentation gives a pretty good overview of the dynamics at play at the moment... from the perspective of the protesters of course.
- piranha 13y ago> who sent the previous president to jail Not a previous president, but his political opponent.
- randomafrican 13y ago>who sent the previous president to jail on trumped up charges Previous Prime Minister. And I'm not 100% sure the charges are totally trumped up. Not that it changes anything.
- yazmeya 13y agoEven if the charges aren't all trumped up, Tymoshenko was singled out for prosecution for her politics, without a doubt. With corruption as rampant as it is, there's a criminal case waiting to be made against practically anyone in a position of power in Ukraine.
- dmytrish 13y agoYes, Tymoshenko is not an angel by any means, but her conviction was clearly a political act to frighten other possible rivals with selective justice. Also, this was a great deal to gain some Putin's favor.