WWSRRD?

What Would St. Ronnie Reagan Do about the situation in the Ukraine?  Jon Stewart knows:

Report: Ukrainian President Voted Out By Parliament

Amid reports this morning that Ukrainian President Yanukovich has fled Kiev for eastern Ukraine comes this:

Protesters seized the Kiev office of President Viktor Yanukovich on Saturday and the opposition demanded a new election be held by May, as the pro-Russian leader's grip on power rapidly eroded following bloodshed in the capital. 

Anti-government demonstrators entered Yanukovich's compound in the capital and were controlling the entrance, a Reuters reporter said at the scene. Security guards were present inside the building but were not trying to expel the protesters.

Reuters is also reporting that the Ukrainian parliament has voted to oust Yanukovich and set new elections for May 25.  Here's more.

UPDATE:  Read how the Yanukovich regime had paid shills in right wing media (Red State, Breitbart, Pajamas Media).

Weekend Kiev Song

In solidarity with our Ukrainian -- and Russian -- brothers and sisters in their struggle against repression, we would like to start the weekend with Moussorgsky's "The Great Gate of Kiev" from "Pictures at an Exhibition."  Peace.

Ongoing Bloodshed in Ukraine

There is escalating violence in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, between the pro-Russian regime and Ukrainians who want closer ties with the European Union.  At least two dozen people have been killed in clashes in the heart of the capital, which resembles a war zone of burning tires, barricades, and Molotov cocktails.  Ukrainian leader Viktor Yanukovych is threatening increased violence against the protesters who have been occupying Kiev's central Maidan (Independence) Square since November.  Russia's would-be czar Vladimir Putin is lending his vocal support to the Ukrainian government, after providing billions in aid to their faltering economy to pull it into Russia's orbit.

The European Union is weighing sanctions against the Ukrainian government, and the U.S. has called on Yanukovych to exercise restraint and negotiate with the demonstrators.  However, it appears that more extreme violence by the government is near, as the regime views the demonstrations as a coup against it.

(photo: Associated Press)

Ukraine Burning

Here are haunting photos from pro-European Union demonstrations in Kiev, Ukraine over the past 36 hours. For more, go to TPM.  (click to enlarge)

(Photos:  AP/Sergei Grits)

Photo of the Day

Over 200,000 pro-European Union, anti-government protestors gathered today in Independence Square, Kiev, Ukraine.  More pictures and story here.