The White House issued a statement on the 22nd, stating that the U.S. is closely monitoring the developments in Ukraine. The statement indicated that the U.S. supports Ukraine in quelling the unrest, amending the constitution, forming a coalition government, and holding early elections. The current developments are pushing Ukraine closer to achieving these goals.
Although President Yanukovych had previously agreed to hold early presidential elections in December this year, the opposition-led Ukrainian parliament passed a resolution on the 22nd to remove Yanukovych from the presidency and further advance the elections to May of this year.
Additionally, the Ukrainian parliament released former Prime Minister Tymoshenko, who has stated her intention to run for president.
Despite Yanukovych's angry denunciation of the Ukrainian parliament's actions as a "coup," the White House statement expressed that the U.S. welcomes the "constructive work" of the Ukrainian parliament, suggesting that the U.S. is pleased with Yanukovych's ouster.
At the same time, the statement welcomed Tymoshenko's release and wished her a speedy recovery as she receives treatment in the hospital. In 2011, Tymoshenko was sentenced for abusing her powers as Prime Minister, which led to Ukraine's high-priced imports of Russian natural gas, ultimately resulting in a seven-year prison sentence.
The statement also mentioned that the U.S. is willing to cooperate with Russia, the European Union, and relevant international organizations to assist in building a strong and prosperous Ukraine, supporting the Ukrainian people's pursuit of democracy and economic development.
Since the anti-government protests erupted in Ukraine last November, the U.S. has sided with the opposition while Russia has supported Yanukovych, leading to escalating tensions between the two sides. Following the bloody clashes in Ukraine on February 18, the U.S. repeatedly urged the Ukrainian government to exercise restraint and demanded the immediate withdrawal of armed forces from the streets of the capital, Kyiv.
Observers note that the current situation in Ukraine is clearly leaning towards the opposition. On the 21st, Yanukovych signed a reconciliation agreement with the opposition, which largely met all of the opposition's demands. With Tymoshenko's swift release, it is believed that Yanukovych will be placed in a more passive position.
After Yanukovych was ousted on the 22nd, the opposition claimed that he had "fled" Kyiv, but it was later confirmed that Yanukovych had gone to his "stronghold" in Kharkiv to meet with local officials and supporters, hoping to discuss strategies to turn the tide.