Monday Matters #1

Late in 2013, Ukraine president Viktor Yanukovich discussed a trade agreement with the European Union. Because of the ongoing pressure from Russia's president Vladimir Putin, Yanukovich backed out of the agreement. Because of this, violent mobs appeared protesting on the Ukrainian President's decision. Yanukovich reached a deal with Putin which allowed Russia to give Ukraine $15 billion. This money prevented Ukraine from going bankrupt, but economists state that if Ukraine doesn't spend the money the necessary way, Ukraine will file for bankruptcy. Things did not settle because of the plan. Violent riots still occurred and Yanukovich could not control his people. Because of this, Putin delayed the plan to give Ukraine the money until Yanukovich settled his people down. After many violent riots, Yanukovich fleed Ukraine. All chaos broke loose in Ukraine. Then, in early March, Putin sent in his troops to "protect ethnic Russians and Russian citizens from extremist ultranationalists." Due to polls in Crimea, a Ukrainian city, 97% of people wanted to secede from Ukraine. On March 18, Putin signed a treaty annexing Crimea. Click here to view the article.