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."
16:39
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.
16:46
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.
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."
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.
17:32
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.
17:36
11.12.2013
Interfax reports that 20 people were hospitalized following clashes last night -- 11 law enforcement personnel and nine protesters, according to the Kyiv health department.
17:56
11.12.2013
Oleh Tyahnybok is the leader of the far-right Svoboda party and of the three main opposition leaders.
18:02
11.12.2013
Reports on the ground portray a sense of revelry and pride among protesters for withstanding yesterday's riot police raids. Authorities succeeded in tearing down barricades surrounding Independence Square, but by all accounts the mini tent-city appears to be rising again.
18:31
11.12.2013
In an interview with Russian television personality Kseniya Sobchak, Vitali Klitschko says "Ukrainians are ready to be patient" in the face of short-term consequences of Russian trade sanctions that could come with signing an EU Association Agreement.
Klitschko leads the opposition Udar (punch) party.
Klitschko leads the opposition Udar (punch) party.