UKRAINE GRADUALLY EDGING TOWARDS CIVIL WAR WITH RUSSIA AND WESTERN NATIONS AT LOGGERHEADS

Wednesday was the bloodiest day in the history of Ukraine since November during which protesters belonging to various opposition parties began the struggle against Victor Yanukovych govt. Almost 26 persons have died when Ukraine forces stormed into Maidan which is also called Independence Square. The incident occurred when the protesters rejected when Ukraine’s forces demanded them to disperse which was defied by the rebels who wanted nothing short of President Yanukovych to resign from his post. In the beginning, Yanukovych kept a low profile and appealed to the protestors to keep their cool and in return he offered the opposition with post of Prime Minister. The opposition parties didn’t agree with Yanukovych and what they demanded was the 2004 agreement to be re-enacted by which the transfer of powers to lowest levels will materialize which was not agreeable to Victor Yanukovych.

The Opposition drew strength from the US and European nations and form an association with them which was turned down by Mr.Yanukovych who incidentally is Russia’s protégé. US and European nations though wanted Russia to stop aiding and abetting Mr.Yanukovych was rejected by Russia.

Russia extending support to Ukraine angered US and European nations and warned it to suffer unforeseen circumstances. Russia cared not to listen to the warnings of the Western nations and accused them of disturbing the peaceful atmosphere which prevailed over Ukraine, a former Soviet Union State.

Mr.Yanukovych shed his cool approach when the opposition’s demand gained momentum. His policy of appeasement had no takers and he started pondering over launching a ruthless action against the opposition. The followers of opposition leaders gathered at the Independence Square and after repeated warnings to disperse, they refused to oblige. The soldiers belonging to Ukranian govt decided to storm into the Independence Square and with firing rubber bullets, launching grenades and other weapons which forced the Opposition parties’ followers to run helter skelter.  On Wednesday in the melee 26 persons died and 10 of them were Ukranian soldiers.

With the arrival of evening there were reports of Yanukovych and opposition agreeing for a truce which both sides confirmed. In between what went wrong since as per latest reports the signing of a truce turned awry and violence at various parts of Ukraine continued.  If Russia and Western nations shy away from interfering and bring about a deal between the govt and the opposition so as to forcing both to sign a deal, Ukraine will gradually plunge into a civil war claiming the lives of innumerable persons and wounding as many or more than that and destruction of properties valued at lakhs of crores.

It would be better, Mr.Yanukovych steps down and order a fresh election under the watchful eyes of an Independent Election Watch. Otherwise it would turn a playground of both Russian and Western nations affecting the Ukranians most.

The situation has turned from bad to worse and it is high time all parties involved joined together to bring about a durable agreement, it would be better.