Parliament Votes to Oust Ukraine President; Opposition Leader Freed
Parliament Votes to Oust Ukraine President; Opposition Leader Freed
VIDEO: Traditional Ukrainian saying, 'glory to the heroes,' takes on new meaning as it is displayed on a hillside and endlessly repeated in greetings
Ukrainians gave newly-freed opposition leader and former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko a hero's welcome when she addressed protesters in Kiev Saturday, urging them to continue their demonstrations.
As part of a deal to end weeks of violence, Tymoshenko was freed from a prison hospital where she had been serving time for abuse of power — a charge her supporters say was political revenge by President Viktor Yanukovych.
Speaking from a wheelchair due to severe back pain, Tymoshenko called protesters heroes and the best of Ukraine, imploring them not to give up their demonstration before breaking down into tears. A long-time Yanukovych adversary, Tymoshenko said that the "dictatorship has fallen," and honored the protesters who lost their lives.
Earlier Saturday, Ukraine's parliament voted to dismiss President Yanukovych and set early elections for May 25. Parliament also elected a new speaker, Oleksandr Turchynov, a longtime Tymoshenko ally. Former speaker and government supporter Volodymyr Rybak resigned.
In an interview Saturday with a Ukrainian television station, Yanukovych said he intends to remain in office. He called the violent uprising against him an example of a "coup," and compared it to the Nazis' rise to power in Germany in the 1930s.
The president, who is in Kharkiv near the Russian border, also said all decisions made by Ukraine's parliament Saturday were illegal.
Yanukovych, however, has been left almost powerless. His Cabinet promised to back a new government, the police said it supported the opposition, and the army said it will not get involved.
Story continues below photo gallery
The United States welcomed the latest developments in Ukraine and urged the quick formation of a unity government. In a statement, the White House said the developments could move Ukraine closer to a des-escalation of violence, constitutional change and early elections.
The White House also welcomed the release of Tymoshenko.
"We welcome former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko’s release from a prison hospital today, and we wish her a speedy recovery as she seeks the appropriate medical treatment that she has long needed and sought," the statement said.
Day of action, mourning
On Saturday, Ukrainian protesters took control of President Yanukovych's offices in Kiev, and thousands massed in Independence Square, calling for the president's resignation.
The protest camp on Kyiv's main square also hosted funerals and memorial services to mourn protesters cut down by police attacks and snipers.
There were prayers and tributes, and tears from people who probably never knew the victims. People stopped at makeshift shrines to pay their respects.
"I am commemorating those who died for our freedom, for people who just want to live a better life," said Olga, a Kiev resident who gave only her first name.
The traditional Ukrainian saying "Glory to the Heroes" took on new meaning as it was displayed on a hillside and repeated as a greeting over and over.
Friday agreement
In spite of Friday's political deal for new elections and other concessions by Yanukovych, demonstrators also objected to a deal signed Friday by Ukraine's president and the opposition aimed at ending the country's political crisis.
The deal returns Ukraine to its 2004 constitution, limiting presidential powers. It also sets up a coalition government and early elections.
On Saturday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told officials from France, Poland and Germany the opposition was failing to fulfill Friday's agreement. Foreign ministers from those three countries helped broker the deal.
Protests erupted in Ukraine in November when Yanukovych backed out of a trade deal with the European Union in favor of closer ties to Russia. The protests began peacefully but descended into violence earlier this month. Nearly 100 people have been killed, including some protesters who were shot in the head by police snipers.
Also Saturday, opposition leader Vitaly Klitschko urged Yanukovych to resign so elections can be held no later than May.
On Saturday, parliament elected a new speaker, Oleksandr Turchynov, a longtime ally of Tymoshenko. Turchynov was elected soon after pro-government speaker Volodymyr Rybak submitted his resignation, citing ill health.
Ukraine is split between those in the east who favor ties with Russia, and those in the west who lean toward the European Union.
Ukraine is split between those in the east who favor ties with Russia, and those in the west who lean toward the European Union.
Ukrainian protesters took control of President Yanukovych's offices in Kyiv Saturday. Others let themselves onto the grounds of the president's lavish but secret estate outside Kyiv, which includes a private zoo, and toured his house. Some say they are stunned that one person could have so much while others in Ukraine have nothing.
Tymoshenko was one of the leaders of Ukraine's 2004 Orange Revolution, when the Supreme Court threw out the results of an apparently flawed presidential election won by Mr. Yanukovych and ordered a new vote.
She became prime minister under the new president, Viktor Yushchenko. After Mr. Yanukovych defeated Tymoshenko in the 2010 presidential election, she was put on trial for alleged abuse of power over a natural gas deal with Russia and sentenced to prison.
VOA correspondent Al Pessin contributed to this report, and some information was provided by Reuters, AP and AFP.
As part of a deal to end weeks of violence, Tymoshenko was freed from a prison hospital where she had been serving time for abuse of power — a charge her supporters say was political revenge by President Viktor Yanukovych.
Speaking from a wheelchair due to severe back pain, Tymoshenko called protesters heroes and the best of Ukraine, imploring them not to give up their demonstration before breaking down into tears. A long-time Yanukovych adversary, Tymoshenko said that the "dictatorship has fallen," and honored the protesters who lost their lives.
Earlier Saturday, Ukraine's parliament voted to dismiss President Yanukovych and set early elections for May 25. Parliament also elected a new speaker, Oleksandr Turchynov, a longtime Tymoshenko ally. Former speaker and government supporter Volodymyr Rybak resigned.
In an interview Saturday with a Ukrainian television station, Yanukovych said he intends to remain in office. He called the violent uprising against him an example of a "coup," and compared it to the Nazis' rise to power in Germany in the 1930s.
The president, who is in Kharkiv near the Russian border, also said all decisions made by Ukraine's parliament Saturday were illegal.
Yanukovych, however, has been left almost powerless. His Cabinet promised to back a new government, the police said it supported the opposition, and the army said it will not get involved.
Story continues below photo gallery
The United States welcomed the latest developments in Ukraine and urged the quick formation of a unity government. In a statement, the White House said the developments could move Ukraine closer to a des-escalation of violence, constitutional change and early elections.
The White House also welcomed the release of Tymoshenko.
"We welcome former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko’s release from a prison hospital today, and we wish her a speedy recovery as she seeks the appropriate medical treatment that she has long needed and sought," the statement said.
Day of action, mourning
On Saturday, Ukrainian protesters took control of President Yanukovych's offices in Kiev, and thousands massed in Independence Square, calling for the president's resignation.
The protest camp on Kyiv's main square also hosted funerals and memorial services to mourn protesters cut down by police attacks and snipers.
There were prayers and tributes, and tears from people who probably never knew the victims. People stopped at makeshift shrines to pay their respects.
"I am commemorating those who died for our freedom, for people who just want to live a better life," said Olga, a Kiev resident who gave only her first name.
The traditional Ukrainian saying "Glory to the Heroes" took on new meaning as it was displayed on a hillside and repeated as a greeting over and over.
Friday agreement
In spite of Friday's political deal for new elections and other concessions by Yanukovych, demonstrators also objected to a deal signed Friday by Ukraine's president and the opposition aimed at ending the country's political crisis.
The deal returns Ukraine to its 2004 constitution, limiting presidential powers. It also sets up a coalition government and early elections.
On Saturday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told officials from France, Poland and Germany the opposition was failing to fulfill Friday's agreement. Foreign ministers from those three countries helped broker the deal.
Protests erupted in Ukraine in November when Yanukovych backed out of a trade deal with the European Union in favor of closer ties to Russia. The protests began peacefully but descended into violence earlier this month. Nearly 100 people have been killed, including some protesters who were shot in the head by police snipers.
Also Saturday, opposition leader Vitaly Klitschko urged Yanukovych to resign so elections can be held no later than May.
On Saturday, parliament elected a new speaker, Oleksandr Turchynov, a longtime ally of Tymoshenko. Turchynov was elected soon after pro-government speaker Volodymyr Rybak submitted his resignation, citing ill health.
Ukraine is split between those in the east who favor ties with Russia, and those in the west who lean toward the European Union.
Ukraine is split between those in the east who favor ties with Russia, and those in the west who lean toward the European Union.
Ukrainian protesters took control of President Yanukovych's offices in Kyiv Saturday. Others let themselves onto the grounds of the president's lavish but secret estate outside Kyiv, which includes a private zoo, and toured his house. Some say they are stunned that one person could have so much while others in Ukraine have nothing.
Tymoshenko was one of the leaders of Ukraine's 2004 Orange Revolution, when the Supreme Court threw out the results of an apparently flawed presidential election won by Mr. Yanukovych and ordered a new vote.
She became prime minister under the new president, Viktor Yushchenko. After Mr. Yanukovych defeated Tymoshenko in the 2010 presidential election, she was put on trial for alleged abuse of power over a natural gas deal with Russia and sentenced to prison.
VOA correspondent Al Pessin contributed to this report, and some information was provided by Reuters, AP and AFP.
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