What’s this “attempting to change the language to Ukrainian”? The vote was to have one language for official (gov’t) business, which only makes sense. No one is barred from speaking Russian - even Tymoshenko apparently speaks Russian often, when off the record. The languages are even pretty closely related.
The situation is not markedly different than, say, the Philippines, where English is a widespread 2nd or 3rd language, Luzon speaks and writes (mainly) Tagalog, which is the official Filipino language, and the central and southern citizens speak and write (mainly) Visayan day to day, Tagalog when more convenient or necessary, and English as a 3rd language (often in business and commerce.) Complicating matters slightly are dozens of local dialects, but, even so, I’ve never heard of anyone in RP complaining that a 2nd national language is needed or even a good idea.
Now the brawl — yes, that is indicative of the problems Ukraine faces. My guess is that other Reps. considered some of the allegations lies and (under the circumstances) treasonous, and things went downhill from there. In any event, the country has been left in such bad shape that only very tough measures can save it. I suspect that’s why the interim President refers to his stint as a “kamikaze” mission and (to my knowledge - correct me if wrong) is not in contention in the upcoming elections. It would seem he’s willing to be the scrapegoat for unpopular things that must be done. That may or may not make him right — I just don’t see him as this Nazi type that some do.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oleksandr_Turchynov