17:32
11.12.2013
Via our Brussels correspondent. The European Commissioner for Enlargement had said yesterday that the EU was ready to provide "macro-financial assistance" to Ukraine in return for signing an Association Agreement.
17:22
11.12.2013
As announced earlier in the day, Tbilisi's City Hall now stands under the colors of the Ukrainian flag. Tbilisi's mayor, Giorgi Ugulava, is a member of former Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili's United National Movement. Saakashvili himself received a rousing reception when he spoke, in Ukrainian, on Independence Square last Saturday.
There is not total agreement in Georgia on the level of support Tbilisi should offer to the protesters, however. An attempt to adopt a resolution supporting protesters and condemning police violence sparked a brawl in Georgia's parliament today.
Georgia initialed an Association Agreement with the EU in Vilnius two weeks ago.
There is not total agreement in Georgia on the level of support Tbilisi should offer to the protesters, however. An attempt to adopt a resolution supporting protesters and condemning police violence sparked a brawl in Georgia's parliament today.
Georgia initialed an Association Agreement with the EU in Vilnius two weeks ago.
17:13
11.12.2013
U.S. Senator John McCain weighs in, calling last night's riot police raids "appalling."
"If Ukraine's government thinks that brute force and the politics of fear can see it through the current crisis, it is woefully mistaken," he says in a statement posted on his website. "More and more Ukrainians are showing that they are no longer afraid. Those brave men and women should know that they are not alone."
"If Ukraine's government thinks that brute force and the politics of fear can see it through the current crisis, it is woefully mistaken," he says in a statement posted on his website. "More and more Ukrainians are showing that they are no longer afraid. Those brave men and women should know that they are not alone."
16:46
11.12.2013
In a statement from Yulia Tymoshenko, released by her Batkivshchyna party, the former prime minister calls on Western countries to "act."
"No talks, nor round tables with the gang, only immediate resignation of Yanukovych and his circle," she says.
"No talks, nor round tables with the gang, only immediate resignation of Yanukovych and his circle," she says.
16:39
11.12.2013
RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service reports that two protesters detained recently for allegedly taking part in "mass disturbances" have been released from custody. A Kyiv district court found Yuriy Bolotov guilty of participating in mass rioting then fined him and ordered him released. The other protester, Mykola Lazarevskiy, was also released and placed under house arrest. The two were among several protesters arrested on December 1 after clashes with police in front of the presidential administration in the capital. All had been ordered detained for two months. The Ukrainian opposition has demanded the release of all those detained. President Viktor Yanukovych said this week that he will ask the prosecutor-general to seek ways to release some of the detainees.
16:22
11.12.2013
Viktor Yanukovych has invited the opposition to participate in a roundtable dialogue, the presidential press service has announced.
"The actions of all sides should conform exclusively to the laws and constitution of Ukraine," Yanukovych said in a statement, adding that all political forces as well as members of the clergy and public demonstrators would be invited to participate in a roundtable discussion.
He also said that authorities "will act only within the law and never take force against peaceful assembly.
"The actions of all sides should conform exclusively to the laws and constitution of Ukraine," Yanukovych said in a statement, adding that all political forces as well as members of the clergy and public demonstrators would be invited to participate in a roundtable discussion.
He also said that authorities "will act only within the law and never take force against peaceful assembly.
Yanukovych's offer comes shortly after he promised EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton he would take steps in the next 24 hours to resolve the Ukraine crisis.
Earlier today, boxer and opposition leader Vitaliy Klitschko said the overnight police raid on Maidan meant that Yanukovych had "closed the path to any compromise."
16:07
11.12.2013
Kyiv's central train station also reopened, says "Kyiv Post," after bomb scare. Notably, the "Kyiv Post" says the inspection at Zhulyani airport is continuing (report elsewhere said it was already reopened).
16:03
11.12.2013
Not to the "highest bidder," as European Commission spokesman Olivier Bailly rejected earlier today, but it wouldn't help to have some high bidders in the mix.
Reuters just now:
European officials are in discussion with the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and other major financial institutions on ways to help Ukraine if it decides to sign a free-trade agreement with the European Union.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov was quoted as saying on Wednesday he had asked the EU for 20 billion euros ($27 billion) in aid to offset the cost of signing the EU deal, which Kiev backed away from last month in favour of closer ties with Russia, sparking huge street protests and a financial crisis.
Reuters just now:
European officials are in discussion with the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and other major financial institutions on ways to help Ukraine if it decides to sign a free-trade agreement with the European Union.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov was quoted as saying on Wednesday he had asked the EU for 20 billion euros ($27 billion) in aid to offset the cost of signing the EU deal, which Kiev backed away from last month in favour of closer ties with Russia, sparking huge street protests and a financial crisis.
15:50
11.12.2013
PACE's Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy has reminded Ukraine in a statement that as a Council of Europe member, the country "should fully respect European standards on freedom of assembly, expression and association." The committe called on "all sides in Ukraine to refrain from any acts of violence and intimidation which will further undermine the stability of the country, including its democratic process." It noted "concern...in particular following yesterday’s intervention by special police forces and recent acts of intimidation by the police against one of the main opposition parties, as well as media outlets."
15:49
11.12.2013
Start the clock.
Catherine Ashton has confirmed that Viktor Yanukovych has promised to take steps within the next 24 hours to resolve the crisis situation in Ukraine.
Catherine Ashton has confirmed that Viktor Yanukovych has promised to take steps within the next 24 hours to resolve the crisis situation in Ukraine.
Speaking at a news conference following talks in Kyiv, Ashton said, "From what I've heard from the president, something should be done in the course of the next 24 hours. He spoke a great deal about the fact that he always wanted to see strong ties with the European Union, close ties." (Translated from Russian)