Ukraine and U.S 12/15/13

Ukraine has been in turmoil as people took on the streets protesting against their government for rejecting a trade agreement with the European Union. Citizens are upset and feel like the government is holding Ukraine back from prospering. They want to shed off their soviet past and move on into the future. They want to get away from Russia, and join the rest of modernized Europe. The Ukraine has been very dependent on Russia for resources such as natural gas, so this trade agreement would've allowed them to break free from this dependency. Russia being aware of this, doesn't want to lose that dependency and has threatened Ukraine by saying that it will withhold resources and halt trade if it decided to sign the agreement. This revolution is the largest ever since the orange revolution in 2004-2005. The E.U has halted negotiations with Ukraine, stating that it has not made up its mind and is giving unclear signals. Ukraine said the it would be willing to sign the agreement if they received 20 billion euros worth of financial aid, but the E.U still doesn't see any sign of commitment. John Mccain addressed the protesters, saying, "People of Ukraine, this is your moment. This is about you, no one else. This is about the future you want for your country. This is about the future you deserve.A future in Europe, a future of peace, with all of your neighbors. The free world is with you, America is with you, I am with you." Ukraine is split between the western civilization and Russia. It kind of reminds me of the cold war to a certain degree. Each side is trying to win over the country, and America is trying really hard according to Mccain's speech. I do have to wonder though, if his speech is sincere or tactical. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/27/world/europe/protests-continue-as-ukraine-leader-defends-stance-on-europe.html http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/15/world/europe/ukraine-protests/index.html?hpt=wo_c2