Maybe you shouldn't have done that, Ukraine

This past Thursday, Ukraine's government, by which I mean lawmakers loyal to pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych, signed in this new law. So, what's the big problem? While it doesn't come out and deny Ukrainian citizens the right to protest, it makes it much more difficult; barring them from wearing helmets, masks, setting up tents or sound equipment without police permission. Of course, what happens when you tell someone they can't have something, they immediately want it and show it. On Sunday, in the freezing weather, protesters flocked to Kiev's Independence square; leading to violent confrontations and 30 injured police. Obviously more than just a trivial matter of want and have, the Ukrainian government is taking a step back from the democratic model they previously wanted to embody. Ukrainian president has agreed a deal with Russia's president, Vladimir Putin for them to buy Ukrainian debt and cut the price Kiev pays for gas. This is pivotal since protest started during the month of November when Yanukovych decided to turn away from EU Trade pact.

The deal with Russia was foreseeable seeing that Ukraine was previously part of the Soviet Union. With this new heavy-handed law it is very difficult to consider the Ukrainian government a legitimate one. I wonder if they will continue to be influenced by and continue to appear as a puppet state or will the protesters apply enough pressure to oust the existing regime. 

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/01/19/world/europe/ukraine-protests/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

by: Sergio Vargas