What I know from watching TVN24 (Polish news channel)
Ukrainians have just decided to remove Janukowycz (spelling?) from power and elect a new representative on May 25. This is important because it’s a huge step forward; words have fallen that “from now on, the country’s government will work for the country, for the country’s good.” Furthermore, Julia Tymoszenko is to supposedly to be released as soon as possible; she was locked up as an insurgent by the old government.
But is it? It certainly is an enormous step… IF IT COMES TO PASS. Janukowycz is declaring that this is but an attack on the government (PL. “zamach stanu”), on the natural order of things. These same words are being propagated all over Russia. The Ukrainian Kiev uprisings have been compared, most notably by Janukowycz himself, to Adolf Hitler’s rise to power in the 1930s (!!!) and that they, the old government, are doing everything to prevent the further loss of blood. THIS IS A BLATANT LIE!! Furthermore, the Russian media (and the entire media is declaring one thing; the last privately-owned news station was shut down not long ago) is saying the same thing. Unlike what you can see in Polish news, they are being shown absolutely nothing like the “peacekeepers” shooting at citizens and innocent people. Therefore, this is being justified to the Russian public.
And just what is “this”? “This” is the fact that Russia may (this is speculation by people who know the workings of the government well and have spent many years in Russia) be preparing a MILITARY intervention. Not just “peacekeepers,” an actual full military intervention, based on what has been said by the prime minister.
IF Russia runs a full military intervention, any steps that might have been taken today will be COMPLETELY negated! Polish and French officials (among others; Poland and France were bolded among a longer list given) are trying to keep Russia and Ukraine at a military peace.
THIS JUST IN AS I WRITE, Tymoszenko is now free! Tymoszenko, former Ukrainian prime minister and one of the leaders of the uprising.
Ukrainians have repeatedly told polish reporters that this isn’t a revolution, this is an UPRISING.
With her freed, this may lead to a full secession of Ukraine from Russian influence. However! Janukowycz has barricaded himself in SE Ukraine and refuses to back down. This may lead to a full civil war and EVEN A SECESSION. This is just initial guesses, but it’s a likely scenario, listening to sleeves by both sides (Russia/Janukowycz, who has been delivering speeches in Russian [!! Not Ukrainian] and Ukrainians [people, not gov’t] as well as EU officials).
Tymoszenko might be the catalyst to unite the entire opposition and overthrow Janukowycz in a decisive manner. This would be rash and it’s too soon, BUT it may be the thing that might work. There is enormous tension between both sides.
Now, they’re comparing it to the 1980s Polish uprisings. I shan’t sun this up because it won’t make sense to non-Poles.
34 Ukrainians are in Polish hospital care, and we’ve prepared for 1,000 more.
Janukowycz is denying everything and refuses to acknowledge what happened half an hour ago. He refuses to step down.
Ukrainians are celebrating Tymoszenko’s freedom. Live camera from Ukraine.
Translator: *cheering in background* Come with us to Szewczenko’s monument to demolish that if Lenin. Repeated word “freedom.”
More comparisons to Solidarność. Solidarność worked with peace, bu this wouldn’t work. Apparently, they tried this before the Orange Revolution (2004?). It started with Tymoszenko back then, too. Unlike Janukowycz, she’s not only experienced and motivated but has a following and leadership skills.
Commercial break. “Light a candle for Ukraine”- put a candle in your windowsill.
Live reporter. Emotions are going like a ping-pong ball. First ecstasy, she’s free! Glory to Ukraine! Then, doubt. Will she come? Can she do it? Then, yes! She will, she can! Glory to Ukraine! More memorial candles (PL: “znicze”) are being lit.
What will the EU do? Speculation. Ukraine is complaining, “Europe, can’t you see us? Why don’t you help?”
There’s a difference between what the EU is doing and Poland is doing.
There’s a revival of the Polish-Ukrainian feeling of brotherhoods. Poland can’t act coolly or neutrally. We are outright helping, supporting our brothers, taking in their wounded.
Europe can’t do that. They don’t have these emotional ties, it makes no sense. They’re coolly calling, working for peace whenever possible.
How does Putin see it? Is it his failure, that his chosen man failed? Or is it a challenge? Both. (In his words, roughly translated) Ukraine is the “little brother lost,” who wandered away and was tricked by fascist leaders. We [Russia] can “help them” return to us, the bug brother, and realize how foolish they were. (End of Putin’s speech). This is the situation that Russia is shown.
The news report will go on all day. Expect more of this sort of rundowns later in the day.