Presidents of Ukraine

Ukrainians don’t know what comes next for their country, but they do know that the game is up for Viktor Yanukovych. The fugitive former president is now facing charges of committing “mass murder.” And blunders, selfishness, and bad choices marked his entire presidency.

Ukrainian president, Viktor Yanukovych, has gone on ‘sick leave’ but the political crisis continues. Some say Ukraine is at a historic crossroads, others fear how Russia might react.

Ukraine, a former Soviet Bloc country, is torn between its deep economic and cultural ties with Russia and its desire to modernize by becoming part of the European Union. When its president chose to draw closer to Russia over the EU, some Ukrainians applauded, while others took to the streets.

Ukraine is in turmoil as political opposition is silenced. One artist chose to illustrate that turmoil, or waiting, with a unique art exhibition that involves women serving in the role of Sleeping Beauties, waiting for the right man to kiss them. If they open their eyes, they agree to marry the man who kissed them.

Revolutions, it is said, need the support of the middle class to be successful; In Ukraine, seven years after the Orange Revolution, a TV producer wonders whether it was worth it, as her nation slips back into its corrupt, pre-revolutionary past.