17:54
9.12.2013
Businesses around central Kyiv have reportedly been closed early tonight.
18:17
9.12.2013
The Interior Ministry has released a statement in connection with raids earlier tonight on the building that houses the Batkivschyna party and some opposition media outlets.
The statement says the raid was in reaction to a group complaint that officials from "one of the commercial structures" fraudulently held property belonging to the complaintants -- including a computer -- valued at more than $42,000.
The statement says the raid was in reaction to a group complaint that officials from "one of the commercial structures" fraudulently held property belonging to the complaintants -- including a computer -- valued at more than $42,000.
18:25
9.12.2013
Picture of the night so far. Children and snowmen in the foreground, riot police on the march in the background.
18:30
9.12.2013
Despite the raids, still several thousand on Independence Square.
18:45
9.12.2013
From earlier in the evening, Vitali Klitschko negotiating with riot police.
18:46
9.12.2013
19:18
9.12.2013
19:29
9.12.2013
Reuters reports that U.S. Vice President Biden tells Yanukovych: "Violence has no place in a democratic society and is incompatible with our strategic relationship."
19:30
9.12.2013
Statement from the Office of Vice President Joe Biden:
In a phone call today with Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, Vice President Biden expressed his deep concern about the situation in Ukraine and the growing potential for violence. The Vice President underscored the need to immediately de-escalate the situation and begin a dialogue with opposition leaders on developing a consensus way forward for Ukraine. He noted that violence has no place in a democratic society and is incompatible with our strategic relationship. The Vice President reaffirmed the strong support of the United States for Ukraine’s European aspirations and welcomed President Yanukovych’s commitment to maintaining this path. He underscored the close alignment of the United States and the European Union, and welcomed the upcoming visits of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton and State Department Assistant Secretary Victoria Nuland to Kyiv.
In a phone call today with Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, Vice President Biden expressed his deep concern about the situation in Ukraine and the growing potential for violence. The Vice President underscored the need to immediately de-escalate the situation and begin a dialogue with opposition leaders on developing a consensus way forward for Ukraine. He noted that violence has no place in a democratic society and is incompatible with our strategic relationship. The Vice President reaffirmed the strong support of the United States for Ukraine’s European aspirations and welcomed President Yanukovych’s commitment to maintaining this path. He underscored the close alignment of the United States and the European Union, and welcomed the upcoming visits of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton and State Department Assistant Secretary Victoria Nuland to Kyiv.