In Ukraine, security forces on Monday moved in on pro-EU demonstrators to end a week-long blockade of the government headquarters, prompting Washington to urge Kiev to "immediately de-escalate thesituation". The party of jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko said that armed police had raided their offices although this was denied by police. Today, the President is to meet with EU envoy and former Ukrainian presidents named to facilitate a mediation.
Melissa Chemam has the latest.
Security forces have moved in on the pro-European demonstrators with the intention of ending their week-long occupation around the Ukrainian government headquarters in Kiev.
The authorities hope to regain control over the capital's city centre.
The protests have raged on for more than two weeks, after the government rejected a European Union partnership pact, a treaty long-awaited by the opposition.
In a symbolic gesture, the protesters toppled the statue of former Soviet Leader Lenin in Kiev on Sunday.
Yesterday the police forced the protesters to move away from the government's buildings.
Their response raised international concerns.
The United States vice-president, Joe Biden, urged president Viktor Yanukovych to ease the escalation.
EU foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, announced she would travel to Kiev today to meet with Ukrainian president, who also agreed to meet with Ukraine's three former presidents, to discuss the crisis.
But the opposition leaders and protesters are still asking President Yanoukovych to dismiss his government.
No comments:
Post a Comment