Issue and Opponent: President Viktor Yanukovych served as the fourth president of Ukraine from 2010 – 2014. In 2013, he had initially promised the Ukrainian people he would work to push Ukraine closer to Europe, hoping to orchestrate Ukraine joining the European Union. If Ukraine were to join the EU, the people in Ukraine would be more protected from Russia and have more rights as an established democracy. However, in late November 2013, President Yanukovych chose not to sign an agreement that would tie Ukraine closer to the EU. Instead, it was revealed that Yanukovych had been working closely with Russia and their President Vladimir Putin. Outraged, the people gathered in Independence Square in Kyiv protesting their President’s actions. Dilemma Action: A month into the demonstrations, the protesters began to hold torso-sized mirrors with stickers saying “God, is it me!” displayed. The idea was for the police to see their reflections in the mirrors as they confronted the protesters. This acted as a counterbalancing tool to the shields held by the police personnel. Additionally, the protesters offered tea to the police officers, played their national anthem, and attached flowers to the shields of the law enforcement officers. All of these efforts came after the government ordered the police to crack down more harshly on the people protesting in the square. The number of protesters quickly grew in the first month, causing Yanukovych to fear a revolution. His fears were right, as this protest encouraged more participants to join the movement. This demonstration was part of the Euromaidan Revolution to force Yanukovych’s resignation and push Ukraine closer to the EU.
Outcome: The direct outcome of this dilemma action with mirrors was more people coming to join the demonstrators in the square. The numbers grew by the thousands. However, becoming frustrated with their persistence, Yanukovych began to violently punish the people. The police were ordered to use force to disband the gatherings and secret police were unleashed on the people.