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Ukrainian politicians learn to roll with the punches — even when cake is thrown at them Ukrainian politicians learn to roll with the punches — even when cake is thrown at them
(about 9 hours later)
While reports indicate that the conflict in Ukraine has settled into a calmer, albeit still violent, pace, public discontent surrounding policy decisions this summer rose to heated levels against Ukrainian politicians.While reports indicate that the conflict in Ukraine has settled into a calmer, albeit still violent, pace, public discontent surrounding policy decisions this summer rose to heated levels against Ukrainian politicians.
Thursday's event, in which Oleh Makhnitsky, an aide to Ukrainian Prime Minister Petro Poroshenko, hid behind a conference table while cakes were thrown in his direction by hooded men, marked the latest in a string of recent outbursts. Thursday's event, in which Oleh Makhnitsky, an aide to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, hid behind a conference table while cakes were thrown in his direction by hooded men, marked the latest in a string of recent outbursts.
"You see how much popularity I have gained. I'm even happy about that!" Makhnitsky said to reporters after regaining his composure at the podium, cake crumbs still splattered across the stage."You see how much popularity I have gained. I'm even happy about that!" Makhnitsky said to reporters after regaining his composure at the podium, cake crumbs still splattered across the stage.
But perhaps no Ukrainian politician learned what his constituents thought of his policy quite the way parliament member Vitaly Zhuravsky did. On Sept. 16, he was tossed into a dumpster by an angry mob and held down as more trash was thrown on top of him. Zhuravsky has taken a strong stance on anti-government protests in the past.But perhaps no Ukrainian politician learned what his constituents thought of his policy quite the way parliament member Vitaly Zhuravsky did. On Sept. 16, he was tossed into a dumpster by an angry mob and held down as more trash was thrown on top of him. Zhuravsky has taken a strong stance on anti-government protests in the past.
And it's not just the public coming after politicians with clenched fists: Lawmakers are punching each other out, too.And it's not just the public coming after politicians with clenched fists: Lawmakers are punching each other out, too.
After being referred to as a "pot-bellied fatty" by parliament member Oleh Lyashko during a dispute, Oleksandr Shevchenko hit his colleague in the head in front of members of the media.After being referred to as a "pot-bellied fatty" by parliament member Oleh Lyashko during a dispute, Oleksandr Shevchenko hit his colleague in the head in front of members of the media.
In Ukraine, parliamentary action takes on a whole new meaning.In Ukraine, parliamentary action takes on a whole new meaning.
Watch the video for clips of scuffles from this summer. Watch the video for clips of scuffles from this summer.