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Police in Kiev Halt Assault on Independence Square | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
KIEV, Ukraine — After a night of clashes with protesters in Independence Square, most security forces withdrew Wednesday from the central plaza in Kiev where demonstrators have been rallying against the government of President Viktor F. Yanukovich for more than two weeks. | |
The police had taken control of a large section of the square and brought in front-end loaders and other heavy equipment to clear it. But by 11 a.m., the police presence had dwindled considerably and pedestrians were walking freely through the square and a festive mood had returned. | |
The scene was in sharp contrast to overnight battles in which squads of security forces had stormed the area and also attempted to retake the occupied Kiev City Hall. | |
It was not immediately clear why the authorities had given the order to halt the assaults. | |
Officers descending a slope past the Hotel Ukraina punched an opening through a barricade that protesters had heavily reinforced. Officers later winched a rope to the barrier and ripped it down entirely. Ice and slush on the streets added to the unfolding confusion as some officers slid into a confrontation with demonstrators, who chanted “Peaceful Protest! Peaceful Protest!” | Officers descending a slope past the Hotel Ukraina punched an opening through a barricade that protesters had heavily reinforced. Officers later winched a rope to the barrier and ripped it down entirely. Ice and slush on the streets added to the unfolding confusion as some officers slid into a confrontation with demonstrators, who chanted “Peaceful Protest! Peaceful Protest!” |
There were fights and shoving matches as officers pushed into the plaza from virtually all sides, taking up positions and blocking the crowd’s movements with interlocking shields. At least one of the tents or another makeshift structure erected by demonstrators caught fire. Officers in helmets pushed through the crowds with shields but did not use the truncheons hanging at their sides. | There were fights and shoving matches as officers pushed into the plaza from virtually all sides, taking up positions and blocking the crowd’s movements with interlocking shields. At least one of the tents or another makeshift structure erected by demonstrators caught fire. Officers in helmets pushed through the crowds with shields but did not use the truncheons hanging at their sides. |
As the security forces spread throughout the square, a large crowd of protesters brandishing sticks, clubs, metal rods and anything else they could find massed in front of the Trade Unions building, which leaders of the demonstration had turned into the headquarters of what they call the National Resistance. | As the security forces spread throughout the square, a large crowd of protesters brandishing sticks, clubs, metal rods and anything else they could find massed in front of the Trade Unions building, which leaders of the demonstration had turned into the headquarters of what they call the National Resistance. |
The crackdown by the authorities came hours after a three-and-a-half-hour meeting between Mr. Yanukovich and Catherine Ashton, the European Union’s foreign policy chief. | The crackdown by the authorities came hours after a three-and-a-half-hour meeting between Mr. Yanukovich and Catherine Ashton, the European Union’s foreign policy chief. |
The diplomatic consequences became apparent almost immediately. “I was among you,” Ms. Ashton said in a statement on Wednesday morning. “The authorities did not need to act under the cover of night.” | The diplomatic consequences became apparent almost immediately. “I was among you,” Ms. Ashton said in a statement on Wednesday morning. “The authorities did not need to act under the cover of night.” |
And in unusually strong language, Secretary of State John Kerry expressed the United States’ “disgust” with the authorities’ decision to use force. “This response is neither acceptable nor does it befit a democracy,” he said in a statement. | And in unusually strong language, Secretary of State John Kerry expressed the United States’ “disgust” with the authorities’ decision to use force. “This response is neither acceptable nor does it befit a democracy,” he said in a statement. |
He added: “As church bells ring tonight amidst the smoke in the streets of Kiev, the United States stands with the people of Ukraine. They deserve better.” | He added: “As church bells ring tonight amidst the smoke in the streets of Kiev, the United States stands with the people of Ukraine. They deserve better.” |
Western leaders, including Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., who spoke by telephone with Mr. Yanukovich on Monday, had sternly warned the government against the use of force on peaceful protests. Earlier on Tuesday, demonstrators had milled about on Independence Square as they have every day since Dec. 1, when it was occupied and barricaded after a huge demonstration that drew hundreds of thousands. That rally was animated by public anger over a brief but bloody crackdown by the police against demonstrators the day before. | Western leaders, including Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., who spoke by telephone with Mr. Yanukovich on Monday, had sternly warned the government against the use of force on peaceful protests. Earlier on Tuesday, demonstrators had milled about on Independence Square as they have every day since Dec. 1, when it was occupied and barricaded after a huge demonstration that drew hundreds of thousands. That rally was animated by public anger over a brief but bloody crackdown by the police against demonstrators the day before. |
People first took to the streets nearly three weeks ago, in anger over Mr. Yanukovich’s sudden decision to scuttle far-reaching political and free-trade agreements with the European Union that had been in the works for more than a year and that he had promised to sign. | People first took to the streets nearly three weeks ago, in anger over Mr. Yanukovich’s sudden decision to scuttle far-reaching political and free-trade agreements with the European Union that had been in the works for more than a year and that he had promised to sign. |
The storming of the plaza was especially surprising because Tuesday had largely been a day of consultations and discussions among senior officials. The talks with Western diplomats had focused heavily on Ukraine’s acute financial troubles; a deepening cash crunch could leave the country broke within months. | The storming of the plaza was especially surprising because Tuesday had largely been a day of consultations and discussions among senior officials. The talks with Western diplomats had focused heavily on Ukraine’s acute financial troubles; a deepening cash crunch could leave the country broke within months. |
Along with Ms. Ashton, Victoria Nuland, an assistant secretary of state, returned to Kiev after making a brief visit here last week and then traveling elsewhere in the region, including to Russia where she urged senior officials to help resolve the crisis in Ukraine. | Along with Ms. Ashton, Victoria Nuland, an assistant secretary of state, returned to Kiev after making a brief visit here last week and then traveling elsewhere in the region, including to Russia where she urged senior officials to help resolve the crisis in Ukraine. |
Mr. Yanukovich also met with the three former presidents of Ukraine, to begin what the government described as a process of “round table” discussions to resolve the crisis. | Mr. Yanukovich also met with the three former presidents of Ukraine, to begin what the government described as a process of “round table” discussions to resolve the crisis. |
By 3 a.m. Wednesday, witnesses said that the police had largely divided the crowd into sectors and had cleared a substantial portion of the plaza. They then stood in formation but did not appear to be making arrests. | By 3 a.m. Wednesday, witnesses said that the police had largely divided the crowd into sectors and had cleared a substantial portion of the plaza. They then stood in formation but did not appear to be making arrests. |
At one point, protesters in construction hats, bicycle helmets and other protective gear rushed toward the officers, with blows being landed by both sides. Burning barrels tipped over, sending up plumes of smoke. | At one point, protesters in construction hats, bicycle helmets and other protective gear rushed toward the officers, with blows being landed by both sides. Burning barrels tipped over, sending up plumes of smoke. |
Roman Bakus, 30, had been standing in front of a long line of police officers in the embattled plaza and was knocked down by their advance. | Roman Bakus, 30, had been standing in front of a long line of police officers in the embattled plaza and was knocked down by their advance. |
“Of course we are afraid, but we are all together,” said Mr. Bakus, who was wearing a bicycle helmet. “Of course we could lose, but we will achieve something anyway. We’ll stay here until the end. If we lose today, three times as many people will come out tomorrow.” | “Of course we are afraid, but we are all together,” said Mr. Bakus, who was wearing a bicycle helmet. “Of course we could lose, but we will achieve something anyway. We’ll stay here until the end. If we lose today, three times as many people will come out tomorrow.” |
At that, the crowd began singing the Ukrainian national anthem, and Mr. Bakus and others took off their helmets in salute. | At that, the crowd began singing the Ukrainian national anthem, and Mr. Bakus and others took off their helmets in salute. |
At least one man was on the ground, apparently unconscious. He was carried off by volunteer medics who came running with a stretcher. Throughout the occupation, protesters had established first aid stations, canteens, volunteer security forces and cleaning crews. | At least one man was on the ground, apparently unconscious. He was carried off by volunteer medics who came running with a stretcher. Throughout the occupation, protesters had established first aid stations, canteens, volunteer security forces and cleaning crews. |
They listened to speeches, danced to musical performances and gathered around fires to keep warm. | They listened to speeches, danced to musical performances and gathered around fires to keep warm. |
Late on Tuesday night there were a series of intermittent blackouts — unusual for Kiev — that apparently foreshadowed the arrival of the riot police. | Late on Tuesday night there were a series of intermittent blackouts — unusual for Kiev — that apparently foreshadowed the arrival of the riot police. |
Even before that, the continuing civic uprising had begun to take a toll on Ukraine’s already imperiled economy. Borrowing costs for Ukraine rose to their highest level in years on Tuesday and the central bank was forced to intervene to support the currency as investors fled from a country with its government under siege, no budget in place for next year and an increasingly acute need for a rescue package of as much as $18 billion. | Even before that, the continuing civic uprising had begun to take a toll on Ukraine’s already imperiled economy. Borrowing costs for Ukraine rose to their highest level in years on Tuesday and the central bank was forced to intervene to support the currency as investors fled from a country with its government under siege, no budget in place for next year and an increasingly acute need for a rescue package of as much as $18 billion. |
Ukraine remains caught in a tug of war between Europe and Russia, which are vying for political sway over the country’s future. Both are both deeply wary of putting up cash, however, given the uncertain political situation and Mr. Yanukovich’s long track record of playing East against West, most recently with his move on the accords. | Ukraine remains caught in a tug of war between Europe and Russia, which are vying for political sway over the country’s future. Both are both deeply wary of putting up cash, however, given the uncertain political situation and Mr. Yanukovich’s long track record of playing East against West, most recently with his move on the accords. |
In rejecting the accords, Mr. Yanukovich said he could not accept conditions of an accompanying rescue package from the International Monetary Fund. He was also under heavy pressure from the Kremlin, which threatened draconian trade sanctions if Ukraine signed the trade pact with Europe. If Mr. Yanukovich thought he was making a clever maneuver, stringing along the European Union while he extracted a better deal from Russia, the plan exploded when protesters rushed into the streets. | In rejecting the accords, Mr. Yanukovich said he could not accept conditions of an accompanying rescue package from the International Monetary Fund. He was also under heavy pressure from the Kremlin, which threatened draconian trade sanctions if Ukraine signed the trade pact with Europe. If Mr. Yanukovich thought he was making a clever maneuver, stringing along the European Union while he extracted a better deal from Russia, the plan exploded when protesters rushed into the streets. |
“Yanukovich was playing a game where he thought he could maneuver the E.U. and Russia to his benefit,” said Stephen Sestanovich, a Russia expert and a senior fellow with the Council on Foreign Relations. “The whole idea was to get both sides to pay.” | “Yanukovich was playing a game where he thought he could maneuver the E.U. and Russia to his benefit,” said Stephen Sestanovich, a Russia expert and a senior fellow with the Council on Foreign Relations. “The whole idea was to get both sides to pay.” |
Instead, he now has no deal with anyone. Russia has indicated some willingness to help, potentially with a combination of lower gas prices, the refinancing of existing debt and, perhaps, a small bridge loan, but not until the political turmoil has been resolved. | Instead, he now has no deal with anyone. Russia has indicated some willingness to help, potentially with a combination of lower gas prices, the refinancing of existing debt and, perhaps, a small bridge loan, but not until the political turmoil has been resolved. |
A Russian deputy prime minister, Igor Shuvalov, said in New York on Tuesday that Mr. Yanukovich and President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia would meet again in a week. | A Russian deputy prime minister, Igor Shuvalov, said in New York on Tuesday that Mr. Yanukovich and President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia would meet again in a week. |
The possibility that Ukraine could be tipped back into Russia’s orbit has set Western officials scrambling, in part to put together a more palatable aid package that perhaps would persuade Mr. Yanukovich to reconsider signing the accords. | The possibility that Ukraine could be tipped back into Russia’s orbit has set Western officials scrambling, in part to put together a more palatable aid package that perhaps would persuade Mr. Yanukovich to reconsider signing the accords. |
Opposition leaders here said that they had received assurances in a meeting with European ambassadors that Western financial assistance was still available, and could serve as an alternative to a Russian bailout, though the talks remain preliminary. But there was no indication that the I.M.F. was softening its loan terms. | Opposition leaders here said that they had received assurances in a meeting with European ambassadors that Western financial assistance was still available, and could serve as an alternative to a Russian bailout, though the talks remain preliminary. But there was no indication that the I.M.F. was softening its loan terms. |
Michael R. Gordon contributed reporting from Washington, | Michael R. Gordon contributed reporting from Washington, Oksana Lyachynska from Kiev, and Richard Berry from Paris. |