Images of the conflict in Ukraine have been bouncing around popular news sites on the internet for more than a week now, and the photography coming out of the country is nothing short of shocking. This article discusses the current situation in the ongoing conflict.

The article begins with a quote from former Ukrainian President Leonid Kravchuk, “Both Ukraine and the world recognize the country is on the brink of civil war.” Both the quote and the article come on the heels of reports that the Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has resigned.

The next few paragraphs deal with a potential amnesty deal between the Ukrainian parliament and protesters. “[M]ore than 200 people [have been] arrested since the demonstrations began in late November, centered on Independence Square.” The government has offered amnesty for these individuals if protesters leave Independence Square, a condition the protesters consider unacceptable.

Parliament also apparently voted to repeal anti-protesting laws which had exacerbated the controversy and drawn concern from the European Union and the United States over potential infringement of free speech and the right to protest. “The repeal legislation has still to be signed off by Yanukovych.” Yanukovvch is the leader of the Party of Regions, which called for the repeal.

With the resignation of the Prime Minister, the rest of his government resigned by operation of Ukranian law, which means that there is no permanent government currently in place, with the resigning cabinet currently acting as caretakers until a new government is installed.

“The recent clashes are an escalation of weeks of largely peaceful public protests prompted by Yanukovych’s decision in November to spurn a planned trade deal with the European Union and turn toward Russia. He and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on a $15 billion deal for Russia to buy Ukrainian debt and slash the price of natural gas.”

Given the tensions between Russia and the United States over Syria late last year, and the newly forming tensions between Russia and the European Union, how will the Ukranian situation and future developments affect the growing conflict between American international interests and Russian priorities?