Since November, Ukraine has gained a lot of attention in the media.  After Viktor Yanukovych, president of Ukraine, refused to sign the European Union association agreement to make closer ties with Russia, non-violent rallies began to form in Kiev. Tens of thousands of Ukrainians have flooded the streets of Kiev in the biggest anti-government protest since the 2004 Orange Revolution to demand Yanukovych to reverse the decision not to sign a key pact with the European Union.

“It was peaceful at first. The protests were not violent and nobody was getting hurt. For now it’s been quiet in Kremchuk,” Yulya Perepelyatnik said.

However, after a peaceful meeting was held on European Square from the protesters, several hundred of them rushed into the government headquarters demanding the government’s resignation. Violence quickly escalated when the protestors threw smoke bombs and stones at police. Starting with ten thousand protestors and growing rapidly up to seventy thousand, they have promised to never quit trying to overthrow Yanukovych.

“I am afraid that this can turn into a revolution and turn violent,” Elena Perepelyatnik said.

Yanukovych focused on economic areas when he made ties with Russia. The European Union association agreement had been planned for years and would have opened borders with Russia to trade and set the stage for modernization and improve quality.

“The focus was on economic areas, which is basis of our working together in a bilateral way,” Yanukovych said, according to CNN.

On the other hand, there are Ukrainians who are on board with the Russian agreement. They believe that the European Union association agreement wouldn’t deliver the promises that were planned. Not to mention many Russians live in the eastern part of Ukraine.

“I have nothing against the European Union, but I don’t want to lose the alliance with the Russian Union because we have been one country for many years during the Soviet Union and my family lives in Russia. I’m tired of people pulling Ukraine in different directions. I just want Ukraine to be its own country and left alone,” Alla Musiyenko said.

The Winter Olympics have taken some attention away from Ukraine. However, this situation is yet to be resolved.

“I disagree on how this has all been handled from both sides of this situation. I don’t want it to turn into a civil war,” Alla Musiyenko said.