Punches, Eggs And Smoke Bombs Fly In Ukraine Parliament Debacle

[Safetyhit]

Geez, think we have it bad. Look at these clowns.

How the hell do they even get eggs and smoke bombs into such meetings?



http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe...ex.html?hpt=C2

*See link for funny images.



(CNN) -- Lawmakers in Ukraine scuffled with each other, throwing punches and eggs, as parliament met Tuesday to ratify a treaty with Russia that extends the latter's navy presence in the Ukraine's Crimean peninsula until 2042.

The ruling Regions party eventually ratified the treaty but not before howls of protest from the opposition.

Someone set off a smoke bomb inside the building, while Speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn sought refuge behind an umbrella as he was pelted with eggs.

During a rally attended by thousands on Saturday, opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko -- the former prime minister who lost to Viktor Yanukovych in the presidential election run-off in February -- said the ratification must be prevented at all costs.

She claimed that Yanukovych is "selling out" Ukraine, has "openly embarked on the path of destruction of (Ukraine's) national interests, and has actually begun the process of eliminating the state's sovereignty."

The deal was signed last week by Yanukovych and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

Tymoshenko said it violated part of the Ukrainian Constitution, which forbids the country from hosting foreign military bases after 2017.

The deal extends Russia's lease of a major naval base in the Black Sea port of Sevastopol for an additional 25 years, in exchange for a 30 percent cut in the price of natural gas that Russia sells to Ukraine.

The agreement may bring an end to years of disputes over natural gas prices, which culminated in Russia turning off the pipeline to Ukraine.

The dispute affected not only Ukrainians, but many Europeans who depend on Russian gas pumped through Ukraine.

The two countries had been at odds ever since the "Orange Revolution" swept Yanukovych's fiercely anti-Russian predecessor Viktor Yushchenko to power in 2005.

Throughout his time in office, Yushchenko repeatedly threatened to expel Russia's Black Sea Fleet from Sevastopol. The Russian military lease there was scheduled to expire in 2017.

Yanukovych said the new deal added a "concrete and pragmatic dimension" to centuries of relations between Ukrainians and Russians.

Opposition groups in Ukraine, however, were quick to denounce the agreement. Yuschenko's "Our Ukraine" party said the treaty would lead to the "Russification" of Ukraine.

[GermanSynergy]

Should have thrown blini, caviar and vodka......

[theblackknight]

anyone who brings smokes to "work" is a prepared mofo.

[Alex V]

Ah... my former countrymen! Awesome!

Ukrainians HATE Russians so its no wonder that some, especialy from the western reagions closer to Poland, would see this treaty as a big no-no.

Che Ne Vmerla Ukraina!

Should have thrown blini, caviar and vodka......

No no no... thats more a Russian thing... Ukrainians love Salo [smoked pork fat-back - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salo_(food) ] and black bread!

Though I do love my caviar and vodka...

[Abraxas]

Ukrainians love Salo [smoked pork fat-back - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salo_(food) ] and black bread!

I know a guy from Odessa that has told me about this. He has told me that he is going to have his wife make me some. He has not brought any to me yet. But Alex has brought me some other good food that his wife made.

[Alex V]

I know a guy from Odessa that has told me about this. He has told me that he is going to have his wife make me some. He has not brought any to me yet. But Alex has brought me some other good food that his wife made.

Its definatly and interesting meal let me tell you. Sits in your gut like a brick, but boy is it filling! In the cold weather of region you eat some salo, half a loaf of black bread, drink some vodka and you are good to work all day!

I keep trying to get my GF to try it, but at $18-$25/lb at the local Russian/Ukrainian delis in the NY/NJ area, I am not willing to buy it only to have her spit it out lol

I love having my friends try Russian/Ukrainian foods. Having your friends gag on REAL black caviar which retails for $200-$400/lb [hell no I did not pay that for it] is deffinatly interesting. My GF loves the cold-cuts tho. Even tought her how to order it at the Russian Deli by our house... IN RUSSIAN lol A lot of the food is an aquired taste for sure, a lot of smoked/salted/dried fish and so on. Easter Europeans pickle EVERYTHING! Not just cucombers and tomatoes, but watermellon! My dad loves it, I think its an abomonation! lol

[Safetyhit]

anyone who brings smokes to "work" is a prepared mofo.

No doubt. Somebody was expecting something to go down, but where was the security?

[Naxet1959]

Say, was that Mikhail Gorbachev throwing the punch in picture 4? He's always stirring the pot

[RUSKI]

Sorry Alex V but all Ukrainians dont hate Russians. Western Ukrainians hate Russians ( for a time part of Poland, and Its own Nation "Ukrainian Peoples republic"). Central and eastern Ukrainians have nothing against Russians, most my family is from Odessa we are Ukrainians, Russians, and even Greeks. We Ukrainian, Belarusian, and Russian Slavs are all so intermixed its hard to tell who is who anyways.
BTW we all Love Vodka, salo, black caviar, and blinchiki.
Your GF will love the food if she gives it a shot. My wife loved it when she first tried it, now she always looks forward to eating traditional foods when we go visit family in WA.

[Mjolnir]

Sorry Alex V but all Ukrainians dont hate Russians. Western Ukrainians hate Russians ( for a time part of Poland, and Its own Nation "Ukrainian Peoples republic"). Central and eastern Ukrainians have nothing against Russians, most my family is from Odessa we are Ukrainians, Russians, and even Greeks. We Ukrainian, Belarusian, and Russian Slavs are all so intermixed its hard to tell who is who anyways.

Thanks for the clarification. That's my take on the matter, too.