Earlier today Ukrainian president Yanukovych signed an agreement with people who have up until now been the acknowledged leaders of the protest movement. It calls for a presidential election sometime before the end of this year, legal changes to be enacted by parliament and the formation of a coalition government for the transitional period. Parliament has already acted on the legal provisions. However, it is unclear if the people representing the protest movement are going to be able to maintain control over the situation and persuade the mass of protesters to withdraw peacefully.
Ukraine protesters split over deal
In a fast-moving day that aimed to reshape Ukraine’s political destiny, protest leaders and the beleaguered president agreed Friday to form a new government and hold an early election. Parliament slashed the powers of President Viktor Yanukovych and voted to free his rival, former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, from prison.
But not all sides embraced the deal. A Russian mediator refused to sign it, and a senior Russian lawmaker criticized it as being crafted for the West.
And at the sprawling protest encampment in central Kiev, anger percolated among the thousands massed Friday night. Hardened Ukrainian protesters angry over police violence said they were determined to stand their ground until Yanukovych steps down.
Protesters booed opposition figures who took to a stage Friday evening to present the deal. One radical speaker threatened to go on an armed offensive if the opposition doesn’t demand the president’s resignation by Saturday morning. Others started chanting ‘‘Death to the criminal!’’ referring to Yanukovych.
I posted an
earlier diary today exploring issues about the fluid situation among the protesters and the presence of far right radical elements that seem bent on shifting the movement in a violent direction.
A transitional government composed of people who are already in opposition to each other is going to face major challenges in keeping this situation under control for another nine months. Outside political influence is going to be coming from both east and west. There was already one deal made earlier this week that fell apart in more violence. The prospects for this one don't look very good either.