MOSCOW, January 20. /ITAR-TASS World Service/. Russian newspapers follow the developments in Ukraine. Many analysts believe the situation in the country is explosive.
A “popular assembly” started in Kiev on Sunday that was announced as “decisive” by the opposition, the Kommersant daily stresses. The protesters demand the abolition of the laws adopted last week that the opposition members call dictatorial. In the view of the newspaper, the standoff resulted in the most severe opposition clashes with security forces during the current protests in Independence Square in Kiev (Maidan).
The Nezavisimaya Gazeta newspaper publishes an article entitled “Ukraine on the brink of a war and split.” According to the newspaper, President Viktor Yanukovich, preparing for the 2015 election, has placed his stake on the “hawks” in his entourage and on a power scenario of the political crisis resolution.
This policy course has been supported by residents of the country’s eastern and southern regions, the Nezavisimaya Gazeta newspaper writes. Protests in Ukraine’s western and central regions have significantly intensified. It is not excluded that the situation will end in civil strife and a spilt of the country, it is believed in Kiev.
Head of the Penta Centre for Applied Political Studies Vladimir Fesenko, quoted by the newspaper, believes that preparing for the presidential election Yanukovich adopted a power scenario policy. Fesenko draws attention to changes in the president’s team: the group of “doves,” seeking to resolve conflicts by peaceful methods has left - the head of the presidential administration, Sergei Lyovochkin, as well as members of his team: director of the National Institute for Strategic Studies Andrei Yermolayev and presidential press secretary Daria Chepak.
Socially active Ukrainians protested against the government’s actions, the publication emphasizes. Spontaneous protest actions have been taking place in the country in the last few days. Experts believe all this testifies to the fact that the authorities have failed to intimidate the citizens. The participants in Sunday’s meeting in Kiev voted for the creation of a new temporary power system — People’s Rada (Parliament): the formation of a new Constitution and preparation for early elections.
Viktor Yanukovich’s position is shaky and his election victory in 2015 is not guaranteed, the Vedomosti newspaper writes. It is clear that by the signing of these laws Yanukovich has finally said goodbye to the EU. European countries have unanimously condemned the laws, although official Kiev may continue its rhetoric about the “willingness to go to Europe.”
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