This is Ukraine.

Ukraine's politics have a tug-of-war between pro-Europe and pro-Russia ideologies

Meet Viktor Yanukovych, Ukraine's President

He wants to remain close with Putin and Russia

Meanwhile, Ukraine's government is at risk of financial default

And many people see integration with the EU as a way to improve Ukraine's economy

But Russia doesn't want that to happen.

Russia fears that a Ukraine-EU agreement would lead to a flood of EU products
An EU agreement would also require reforms in Ukraine
Which both Russia and the Yanukovych government say would damage joint Ukrainian-Russian business ventures.
Many advocates of closer EU-Ukraine ties want reform that will make Ukraine more open and transparent
One reform required by the EU: freeing leading political prisoners like opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko

In November, Ukraine's government opted not to free Yulia Tymoshenko...

... which killed the proposed trade agreements with the EU
Russia then offered a major economic package, including a bailout Ukraine's government

After the EU deal collapsed in November, protesters came out in force

The protest is called "Euromaidan"

So, while there are many reasons why people are protesting, there are a few major causes sustaining the massive protests:
1. Anger about rejecting Europe and the European Union

2. Anger about the crackdown on protesters

This includes anger about the anti-protest laws passed on January 16th

... which, among other penalties, created a two-year jail term for defamation spread through social media

... and banned protesters from wearing helmets

3. Dislike of Yanukovych and Ukraine's anti-democractic strains

... including Yanukovych's close ties to Putin

4. Protesters are thought to have momentum on their side
