President Yanukovych Flees Ukraine as Parliament Votes to Remove Him from Office

Presidential Flight and Parliamentary Action

KYIV, Ukraine - February 22, 2014 - In a dramatic turn of events that has fundamentally altered Ukraine’s political landscape, President Viktor Yanukovych has fled the capital and reportedly left the country, prompting parliament to vote for his removal from office.

The Ukrainian parliament, in an emergency session, voted 328 to 0 (approximately 73% of the 450-seat legislature) to remove Yanukovych from power, citing his abandonment of office and responsibility for the deaths of more than 80 protesters and police during the past week of violence.

The President’s Disappearance

Yanukovych secretly fled Kyiv on the evening of February 21, just hours after signing an EU-mediated agreement with opposition leaders. His whereabouts remained unknown throughout Saturday, with government officials unable to locate him.

Parliament Speaker Oleksandr Turchynov informed fellow deputies that Yanukovych had attempted to flee the country: “He tried to get on a plane bound for the Russian Federation but was stopped by border guards. At the moment, he’s hiding somewhere in the Donetsk region.”

Parliamentary Justification

The parliament cited several grounds for Yanukovych’s removal:

• Gross dereliction of constitutional duties
• Abandonment of office
• Responsibility for deaths of protesters and police
• Failure to implement the February 21 agreement

The vote fell short of the constitutionally required 338 votes (three-quarters majority) for formal impeachment, but lawmakers argued that Yanukovych’s flight constituted de facto abandonment of office.

Presidential Response

Despite his flight, Yanukovych appeared on television in a pre-recorded interview to reject the parliamentary action:

I am not planning to leave the country. I am the legitimate president, and I am not going to resign. These are bandits and their actions are illegal.

He characterized the opposition politicians in parliament as “bandits” and declared their actions illegal, while claiming he remained Ukraine’s legitimate president.

Immediate Political Changes

Parliament moved quickly to establish new leadership:

• Oleksandr Turchynov appointed as interim parliamentary speaker
• Early presidential elections scheduled for May 25, 2014
• Release of Yulia Tymoshenko from prison, where she had been held since 2011

International Reactions

The international community responded with mixed reactions to the rapidly unfolding events:

European Union: EU officials called for calm and emphasized the importance of constitutional procedures while expressing support for Ukraine’s European aspirations.

United States: The Obama administration indicated it was monitoring the situation closely and called for respect for democratic institutions.

Russia: Russian officials denounced the events as an illegal coup and questioned the legitimacy of the new authorities.

Protesters Seize Presidential Compound

As news of Yanukovych’s flight spread, protesters entered the presidential compound at Mezhyhirya, discovering the opulent residence that had been largely hidden from public view. The compound featured:

• Elaborate mansion and grounds
• Private zoo and golf course
• Luxury vehicles and boats
• Golden toilet fixtures

The revelations of presidential luxury amid national economic struggles further inflamed public opinion against the departed leader.

Constitutional Questions

Legal experts debate the constitutional validity of the parliamentary vote, noting that:

• The required three-quarters majority (338 votes) was not achieved
• Formal impeachment procedures were not followed
• However, Yanukovych’s abandonment of office created an unprecedented situation

Parliament argued that extraordinary circumstances justified extraordinary measures, while Yanukovych’s supporters claimed the action was illegitimate.

Security Situation

The capital remained tense but largely peaceful following Yanukovych’s departure. Opposition leaders called for calm and orderly transition while protesters maintained their presence on Independence Square.

Security forces, including the controversial Berkut riot police, were reported to be withdrawing from central Kyiv in accordance with the failed February 21 agreement.

Regional Implications

Yanukovych’s flight has significant implications for Ukraine’s regional dynamics:

• Western Ukraine: Strongly supportive of the change
• Eastern and Southern regions: Mixed reactions, with some areas expressing concern about legitimacy
• Crimea: Local authorities questioned the new government’s legitimacy

Next Steps

The interim government faces immediate challenges:

1. Establishing legitimacy across all regions of Ukraine
2. Organizing presidential elections for May 25
3. Managing economic crisis and potential Russian pressure
4. Maintaining order during the transition period

The events of February 22 mark a watershed moment in Ukrainian history, ending Yanukovych’s presidency but potentially beginning a new phase of political and geopolitical uncertainty for the country.