The Ukrainian parliament announced that they have named Oleksandr Turchynov, the parliamentary speaker as interim president of the state after the removal of president Viktor Yanukovych.
Last November, the pro-Russian Yanukovych regime suspended all preparations for signing an Association Agreement and a Free Trade Agreement with the European Union to further develop economic ties with Russia. As a result, numerous protestors who desired closer European integration began demanding the abdication of the president.
However, it was not simply Yanukovych’s pro-Russian policies that sparked the dissatisfaction of the people. For a while, the citizens of Ukraine were greatly aware of the serious corruption and elitism in the regime. The resulting protests led to the deaths of 82 civilians, and in the end even the police and military stated that they will side with the people. President Yanukovych refused to make any changes to his policy.
The removal of Yanukovych also led to the release of his political rival and former prime minister, Yulia Tymoshenko from prison. After her release, many saw her as someone who might become president and that Ukraine will soon join the European Union.
