Protesters in Kiev, Ukraine -against the Ukraine government’s push to have closer ties with Russia- toppled a statue of Vladimir Lenin.
The Associated Press reported that the protest is due to the Ukrainians disapproval of the actions of their President Viktor Yanukovych. Yanukovych turned his back on talks with the European Union (EU) to begin a closer relationship with Russia.
Ukrainians were not pleased and began a protest that has spanned three weeks. One protester, 42-year-old Kostyantyn Meselyuk expressed that the country needs a change that does not include its current president, “Ukraine is tired of Yanukovych. We need new rules. We need to completely change those in power. Europe can help us.”
CNN reported that Ukrainian police have estimated the crowd of protester to about 100,000 and they have done more than decapitate, destroy, and topple statues of Vladimir Lenin. The protesters have displayed their disagreement by rallying outside the cabinet office, the presidential office and the office of government workers, blocking buildings and preventing some from working.
The protest is being hailed as the largest protest to hit Eastern Europe since 2004, when the Orange Revolution took place.
Despite his people’s anger and protest, Yanukovych met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday.
“The two Presidents discussed current bilateral relations and preparations for the upcoming meeting of the Russian-Ukrainian Interstate Commission in Moscow,” an official statement from Putin’s office said.
It has been mentioned that Ukraine’s president did not join the EU due to threats of sanctions from Russia.
Below is a quick video of the statue being pulled down in Kiev, Ukraine:
Video courtesy of YouTube.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
