20:11
9.12.2013
20:35
9.12.2013
Video on Ukrainian TV of police removing barricades.
22:44
9.12.2013
Ashton releases a statement just hours before her scheduled trip to Ukraine:
"On the eve of my visit to Kyiv, I follow with concern the reports that police forces forcibly entered the office of the biggest opposition party, Batkivshchyna. This comes on the afternoon of the same day that President Yanukovych proposed the establishment of a national roundtable, bringing together the leaders of all political forces and the three former Presidents of Ukraine. These latest events seriously risk to derail the process. I call on the Ukrainian authorities to exercise utmost restraint and refrain from any further use of force, in order to give space for a negotiated solution out of the current political stalemate."
"On the eve of my visit to Kyiv, I follow with concern the reports that police forces forcibly entered the office of the biggest opposition party, Batkivshchyna. This comes on the afternoon of the same day that President Yanukovych proposed the establishment of a national roundtable, bringing together the leaders of all political forces and the three former Presidents of Ukraine. These latest events seriously risk to derail the process. I call on the Ukrainian authorities to exercise utmost restraint and refrain from any further use of force, in order to give space for a negotiated solution out of the current political stalemate."
23:55
9.12.2013
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 as police slowly reclaim territory.
-- 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
--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 as police slowly reclaim territory.
-- 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