Protesters in Kyiv brace for faceoff with police
Tens of thousands of anti-government demonstrators in Kyiv prepare for another night of confrontation with Ukrainian police after a day of bloody battles.
On Wednesday evening, the demonstrators filled the capital’s Independence Square, which has been the main protest hub for the last two months over the government’s failure to sign a deal for closer integration with the European Union.
Opposition leaders have issued a stark ultimatum to President Viktor Yanukovych to call early elections within 24 hours or face more protests.
“You, Mr. President, have the opportunity to resolve this issue. Early elections will change the situation without bloodshed and we will do everything to achieve that,” opposition leader, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, told about 40,000 people gathering at the square.
Yatsenyuk warned that if Yanukovych does not concede, “tomorrow we will go forward together. And if it’s a bullet in the forehead, then it’s a bullet in the forehead, but in an honest, fair and brave way.”
Earlier in the day, fierce clashes between riot police and anti-government protesters in Kyiv left five people dead and hundreds more injured.
The clashes broke out when Ukrainian police moved in to dismantle a protest camp in the center of the capital.
The fresh round of violence broke out shortly after the government imposed a controversial ban which prohibits mass protests.
President Yanukovych on Wednesday held talks with opposition leaders in an effort to find a negotiated solution to end the crisis.
Ukraine has been rocked by anti-government protests after Yanukovych refrained from signing the Association Agreement with the EU at the third Eastern Partnership Summit in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, on November 29, 2013.
Kyiv refused to sign the agreement after EU leaders called on Ukraine to allow jailed opposition leader, Yulia Tymoshenko, to travel overseas for medical treatment.
MN/MHB/SS