Protests, demonstrations and revolutions in general are all over the news nowadays; however, Euromaidan, the protests taking place in Ukraine for the past two weeks, is somehow different in its background, its spirit and its goals.

Ukraine is the most corrupt country in Europe. It is also one of the poorest countries in Europe. However, despite the fact that one quarter of Ukrainians live under the poverty line, President Viktor Yanukovych owns several mansions with guest houses, party houses, yacht clubs, golf courses, tennis courts, pools and even a chandelier estimated to be worth 100,000 USD. Two sons of the president, who are 40 and 32 years old, also became notably wealthy in the recent years. Where is all of this wealth coming from? When asked by  journalists, Yanukovych didn’t give a clear answer.

Ukraine aspired to become a member of the European Union after the collapse of the USSR, and getting closer to Europe was suddenly possible when the government launched the European integration process. The government intended to sign an EU Association Agreement on Nov. 29, 2013. However, the situation changed on Nov. 21 when the Ukranian Cabinet of Ministers announced that the Eurointegration process will be postponed for an unknown period of time. That day, the general public began to express their discontent on social media. The hashtag #Euromaidan, meaning EuroSquare in Ukranian in reference to the Independence Square in Kiev where people were protesting, became ubiquitous on the Ukrainian Twitter.

On Nov. 22 over 2,000 people began protesting in Kiev to express their dissatisfaction with the government’s decision while other cities organized their own demonstrations. They hoped that Yanukovych, as the representative of his people, would listen to the voice of nation. Protests grew bigger, and Ukrainian citizens abroad are now getting involved. Peaceful demonstrations were organized in Prague, Paris, New York, Washington, D.C., Milan, Berlin and many other cities around the world. Protesters didn't understand why Yanukovych decided to suddenly turn away from the direction the country was headed in and not sign the EU integration agreements. According to The Washington Post, the decision was made as a result of Russian pressure that threatened to cut off Ukrainian imports to Russia and increase gas prices. However, the events of Nov. 30 completely changed the intentions of the protests.

After the EU Association Agreement was left unsigned on Nov. 29, protesters in Kiev camped out in Maidan Nezalezhnosti, Independence Square, and organized a mobile kitchen, cleaning up after themselves and peacefully demonstrating their concerns. Since the Orange Revolution in 2004, all Ukrainians were united by one goal, regardless of social class. In the photos from the protests, people are smiling, singing, chatting and dreaming about future changes.

The course of events changed at 4 a.m. that night. Riot police tried to intimidate and forcefully remove protesters from the square by beating them with batons, chasing and even kicking those who fell to the ground while they tried to escape. Witnesses say police did not discriminate, beating young women, elderly people and journalists. About a 100 people were injured and 30 were taken into custody. In the morning, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov claimed that the Christmas tree and an ice rink had to be installed on the main square, so the people were asked to leave. Of course, the Ukranians, who have an ability to think and analyze, couldn’t keep quiet.

On Dec. 1, together with opposition leaders, a people’s assembly was organized in Kiev’s Independence Square, bringing over 1.5 million people together. The conditions approved by the assembly included the dismissal of the government, impeachment of the president and punishment of those who committed a crime against the nation by beating the innocent. Starting the following day, people planned an all-nation strike from work and universities. They saw no point in working for the bureaucrats who sack their money. At the same time, protesters were seeking help from Europe and the United States, asking their leaders to impose personal sanctions on President Yanukovych and on the cabinet of ministers by freezing their offshore bank accounts and banning their entrance to the United States or European Union countries. Meanwhile, during all this unrest, President Yanukovych left for a visit to China.

There was no clear reaction from the United States or the EU, and while many leaders expressed strong disapproval of the violent actions against the peaceful protesters, they didn’t make any other statements. The situation is ongoing and worsening every day: protesters are occupying the governmental buildings, TV channels are being banned, peaceful protesters currently in custody are not released, the Ministry of Education is threatening to expel university students who miss class. Today Kiev resembles a scene from an apocalyptic movie or a nation on the edge of civil war. Ukraine is going back to the totalitarian regime with no freedom of speech and expression.

Ukrainian citizens are not slaves and are not objects to be sold. The actions of the government against its own people cannot be justified in any way. Still, Ukrainians are out on #Euromaidan day and night under rain and snow to keep the government from committing more crimes against its people. It is a big step for our country. It proves that we’re a European country and no longer a totalitarian regime.

As an ambassador of my country, I feel the responsibility to spread the word about the situation and make everyone aware. While the protesters are struggling on the street against government violence, the least we can do is pay attention.