The Ukraine Crisis
Owen Brasseaux
The conflict in Ukraine began when the Ukrainian president rejected a trade agreement with the EU that would have been a much needed economy boost. Even though it was a win-win agreement, he didn't want to side with eastern Europe since he was allied with Russia. He didn't want to go against Putin to in any way join with Eastern Europe. Russia even gave Ukraine 15 million dollars to not take the deal.
When president Yanukovych rejected the EU's offer for money, the citizens began riots in the Capitol. Violence escalated until protesters eventually took over the Capitol building and the president's residence by force. The protestors saw the presidents mansion as a symbol of corruption. President Yanukovych fled to Russia, doubting any safe way for him to remain in Ukraine.
The protestors were angry (and violent) Ukrainian citizens. They opposed the president's decision to refuse any connections to Eastern Europe, even if they're beneficial.
Recently, the situation has escalated even further. Even though the EU no longer accepts that Yanukovych is the president, he gave Russia permission to invade the country. Russia then took over Crimea by force claiming they had permission, while the EU calls their actions illegal.
Russia and Western Europe are fighting over Ukraine for economic reasons. The EU offered a great deal to get them into trade. Russia saw that they would be losing the money they are making off of Ukraine if they took the EU's deal, and has now begun to take Ukraine over by force from south to north.
For this conflict to end, Russia will either take over all of Crimea and stop, they will take over Crimea and keep invading until a war begins, or they will be stopped by EU military efforts.