Ukraine is going through one of its most historic moments. Massive protests on the streets of Kiev have resulted in the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych who had been the head of the East European country since 2010. He has not just been removed — he is now on the run with those who opposed him baying for his blood. The streets of the capital ran red with blood a week ago when at least 70 people were killed — bringing the death toll to more than 100 altogether — because of government snipers following the president’s order to violently counter the protesters. This was the last straw for the citizens who were already out on the streets, deeply disillusioned with what they alleged was the corrupt leadership of Yanukovych and his government. Ukraine now has an interim government and is looking ahead to what it hopes will be a new, more hopeful chapter in its future. The whole episode started a couple of months back when the identity and leanings of the country came into question. After the break up of the Soviet Union, Ukraine has been a country in constant struggle — the east part of the country comprises of a majority of pro-Russia and Russian speaking citizens while the western part of Ukraine comprises those who are more European facing and pro-west. Former president Yanukovych was being seen as leaning towards Putin’s Russia for assistance and future assimilation with what analysts are assuming is a Russian bloc in the formation. Putin’s generous offer to dole out as much as $ 15 billion in financial assistance, and Yanukovych’s quick acceptance, was also seen as an attempt to move Ukraine away from the EU, something many Ukrainians had been looking forward to for decades. Like most East European countries that had once been a part of the Soviet Union, Ukraine’s citizens are bogged down by dismal economic progress, slow pace of development and a hugely corrupt leadership that has been filling its coffers but letting ordinary Ukrainians struggle to survive. Yanukovych was seen in this light and the push to side with Russia was a step too far for pro-west Ukrainians. Ukraine is no stranger to unrest. From November 2004 to January 2005, the country witnessed the Orange Revolution, which was a reaction to the large-scale corruption in government. This time too the citizens are making changes; it is hoped the next government to be elected in fresh polls will do them justice. *