You have commented 339 times on Rantburg.

Your Name
Your e-mail (optional)
Website (optional)
My Original Nic        Pic-a-Nic        Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Bold Italic Underline Strike Bullet Blockquote Small Big Link Squish Foto Photo
Submit your comments on this article
Europe
Ukraine President Flees, Protesters Take Over Capital
2014-02-22
KIEV, Ukraine--Government authority appeared to melt away Saturday, leaving protesters to take control of the capital's center. President Viktor Yanukovych left the capital for a city in the country's Russian-speaking east but allies said he had no intention of giving up power.

Opposition leader Vitali Klitschko called on parliament to vote to oust Mr. Yanukovych and announce presidential elections in May, as police withdrew from the center of the capital. Mr. Yanukovych didn't appear publicly Saturday, a day after signing an agreement to share power with opponents and call new elections.

News agencies quoted an aide as saying he was continuing to fulfill his constitutional duties and planned to appear on television later Saturday from Kharkov. He's scheduled to meet voters there, as well as participate in a meeting of legislators from the country's Russian-speaking south and east.

It was also reported Ukraine opposition leader, former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko is expected to be released from prison, according to a spokeswoman.
She has been per this report from Reuters and this one from the Guardian.
Saturday, volunteer security brigades from among the protesters took over security at government buildings in the capital, and journalists reported around 300 people had entered Mr. Yanukovych's opulent suburban residence without resistance.
Posted by:Omavising Ebbemp9815

#10  We've brought you from a serious nation to a laughing-stock in 2 generations. UR welcome.
Posted by: Baby Boomers   2014-02-22 23:37  

#9  I could hardly imagine a more ineffective pair of empty suits in this situation. Preening narcissistic pricks.
Posted by: OldSpook   2014-02-22 19:55  

#8  Non Islamic. Not Arab Spring. Therefore, no Obama Hussien support.
Posted by: Omavising Ebbemp9815   2014-02-22 19:44  

#7  "and a LOT we could Bambi will do that would make the problem worse"

FTFY, Dr. Steve. No charge.
Posted by: Barbara   2014-02-22 19:16  

#6  And this administration leaks like a Raiders fan post case of beer.
Posted by: swksvolFF   2014-02-22 18:57  

#5  AlanC, preen and dance are about all this administration knows how to do.
Posted by: Rambler in Virginia   2014-02-22 17:57  

#4  Steve W., while there may not be much that we can do that would be effective, we can keep our mouths shut about how we're trying to deal with Putin and mediate things. If there are things that might help we can keep quiet about them and not try and preen and prance for the audience.
Posted by: AlanC   2014-02-22 17:07  

#3  Making Putin aware of our willingness to initiate a discreet, but nasty 'offset'... possibly something in Syria or Iran, might assist the effort. He understands such deviousness. He might even respect it.
Posted by: Besoeker   2014-02-22 14:01  

#2  In fairness, there isn't much the U.S. can do to help calm the situation down, and a LOT we could do that would make the problem worse.
Posted by: Steve White   2014-02-22 13:54  

#1  And who do we have for SoS?

J. F'n Kerry and his magic hat.

I've never been so embarassed by the US government and I'm old enough to vaguely remember "I Like Ike" buttons.
Posted by: AlanC   2014-02-22 13:41  

00:00