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Standoff Between Protesters, Police In Kyiv
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Standoff Between Protesters, Police In Kyiv

Live Blog: Kyiv Protests Continue As Deadlines Loom

Security forces have begun removing protesters' barricades in Kyiv, while President Yanukovych calls for a "national roundtable" with government and opposition representatives.

Final Post (barring major developments)

--December 8 live blog here

-- President Viktor Yanukovych announced he had accepted a plan to hold a "national roundtable" with the opposition. In a statement on his official website, he said he plans on meeting with the three former Ukrainian presidents on December 10.

-- Towards early evening, riot police surrounded several protests encampments near the government quarter, beginning the process of taking down barricades and encampments. Protesters and police are now locked in standoff on several streets.

-- Security forces raided the offices of the Batkivschyna (Fatherland) political party of Yulia Tymoshenko, taking the party's servers. The Interior Ministry issued a statement later, saying they were investigating fraudulent claims to property.

-- The raid and the moves to tear down protest camps have prompted indignation from the West. U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden "expressed deep concern" in a phone call with Yanukovych. EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, who is flying to Kyiv on Tuesday, said the events "seriously risk" derailing a chance at compromise.

Glenn Kates
15:34 9.12.2013
Live video from the government district here.
15:35 9.12.2013
15:38 9.12.2013
Our Ukrainian Service has a live feed now near the government district. Protesters facing off with police are singing hymns.
15:43 9.12.2013
Opposition leader Klitschko is in conversation with riot police, according to a number of journalists on the scene.

15:51 9.12.2013
Via our Ukrainian Service: Prosecutor General Viktor Pshonka has called on protesters "not to test the patience of power." He urged them to stop blocking authorities in "blatant violation of the law."
16:03 9.12.2013
Reports via Interfax and the Kyiv Post that security forces have stormed the offices of the opposition Fatherland (Batkivshchyna) party.

The press service of the party says the building is surrounded by security services, no one is allowed in the building and their servers are down (the website of the party is down).

Batkivshchyna is the party of jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.


16:16 9.12.2013
EU High Representative Catherine Ashton is meant to fly into Kyiv for talks tomorrow. European leaders have said the protests should be allowed to remain as long as they are peaceful.

It is worth watching to see if events tonight affect her plans.
16:20 9.12.2013
Near the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament)

16:24 9.12.2013
Near the governmental complex.

16:27 9.12.2013
"Kyiv Post" editor says that the newspaper's website is under DDOS attack. Other unconfirmed reports of actions against media.

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