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| Ukrainian President Meets With Opposition Leaders | Ukrainian President Meets With Opposition Leaders |
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| KIEV, Ukraine — The embattled president of Ukraine, Viktor F. Yanukovich, held his first face-to-face meeting with opposition leaders on Friday, as a widespread civil uprising in the country entered its fourth week. | KIEV, Ukraine — The embattled president of Ukraine, Viktor F. Yanukovich, held his first face-to-face meeting with opposition leaders on Friday, as a widespread civil uprising in the country entered its fourth week. |
| Mr. Yanukovich met with the protest organizers, a coalition of opposition leaders in Parliament, and the heads of civic organizations and student groups at Ukraine Palace, a cultural and arts arena in the capital. | Mr. Yanukovich met with the protest organizers, a coalition of opposition leaders in Parliament, and the heads of civic organizations and student groups at Ukraine Palace, a cultural and arts arena in the capital. |
| The meeting began on Friday afternoon as the struggle over Ukraine’s political and economic future intensified, and as the country’s richest man, Rinat Akhmetov, expressed support for demonstrators who have been rallying here since Mr. Yanukovich last month unexpectedly backed away from signing sweeping political and free trade accords with Europe. | The meeting began on Friday afternoon as the struggle over Ukraine’s political and economic future intensified, and as the country’s richest man, Rinat Akhmetov, expressed support for demonstrators who have been rallying here since Mr. Yanukovich last month unexpectedly backed away from signing sweeping political and free trade accords with Europe. |
| Mr. Akhmetov, a multibillionaire, is widely viewed as a close ally of Mr. Yanukovich. His public statement calling for negotiations to settle the political crisis sent the clearest message yet that Ukraine’s wealthiest businessmen, widely known as oligarchs, are unhappy with the instability and uncertainty in the country and want the government to offer a clearer picture of its intentions: to move toward Russia or try to revive the deals with Europe. | |
| It was also highly unusual commentary on public affairs by a man who generally prefers to operate in the background, and the statement quickly drew the attention of Western diplomats who have been working to increase pressure on Mr. Yanukovich. They are concerned that he will sign agreements in Russia next week with President Vladimir V. Putin, which, for the moment at least, would close the door to European integration for Ukraine. | It was also highly unusual commentary on public affairs by a man who generally prefers to operate in the background, and the statement quickly drew the attention of Western diplomats who have been working to increase pressure on Mr. Yanukovich. They are concerned that he will sign agreements in Russia next week with President Vladimir V. Putin, which, for the moment at least, would close the door to European integration for Ukraine. |
| “The agreement was not signed in Vilnius,” Mr. Akhmetov said in his statement, referring to the Lithuanian capital, where the accords with Europe were to be signed at a conference. “And everybody asked a question: What happened? Did Ukraine take a pause? Did Ukraine stop? Or did Ukraine choose another road?” | “The agreement was not signed in Vilnius,” Mr. Akhmetov said in his statement, referring to the Lithuanian capital, where the accords with Europe were to be signed at a conference. “And everybody asked a question: What happened? Did Ukraine take a pause? Did Ukraine stop? Or did Ukraine choose another road?” |
| “Everyone wants to have clarity,” he continued. Referring to Independence Square in Kiev, the main protest site, he said, “People started searching for answers to these questions and went to the Maidan.” | “Everyone wants to have clarity,” he continued. Referring to Independence Square in Kiev, the main protest site, he said, “People started searching for answers to these questions and went to the Maidan.” |
| “The fact that peaceful people came to peaceful rallies indicates that Ukraine is a free and democratic country,” Mr. Akhmetov said. “And Ukraine will not swerve from this road. And it’s great. But the fact that people suffered in these days is unacceptable. I am confident that now it is a difficult moment for our country, and it is very important to have a cool head and a balanced approach. In short, common sense should win.” | “The fact that peaceful people came to peaceful rallies indicates that Ukraine is a free and democratic country,” Mr. Akhmetov said. “And Ukraine will not swerve from this road. And it’s great. But the fact that people suffered in these days is unacceptable. I am confident that now it is a difficult moment for our country, and it is very important to have a cool head and a balanced approach. In short, common sense should win.” |
| Most pointedly, he said that the government could not ignore the opposition, as it did for more than two weeks after people took to the streets. “I am for the negotiating table,” Mr. Akhmetov said. “Politicians, the authorities, the opposition and the moral leaders of the country should sit at the negotiating table and take the decision of which we will be proud.” | Most pointedly, he said that the government could not ignore the opposition, as it did for more than two weeks after people took to the streets. “I am for the negotiating table,” Mr. Akhmetov said. “Politicians, the authorities, the opposition and the moral leaders of the country should sit at the negotiating table and take the decision of which we will be proud.” |
| Mr. Yanukovich had previously expressed a willingness to participate in so-called round-table talks, but it was not clear until Friday that he would personally meet with leaders of the opposition, which has seized control not only of Independence Square but also of several public buildings, including Kiev City Hall. | Mr. Yanukovich had previously expressed a willingness to participate in so-called round-table talks, but it was not clear until Friday that he would personally meet with leaders of the opposition, which has seized control not only of Independence Square but also of several public buildings, including Kiev City Hall. |
| The talks are beginning after an acceleration of efforts in recent days by national figures and international diplomats to find a way out of the political chaos. Ukraine is facing an increasingly severe economic crisis that has sharply raised borrowing costs and forced the Central Bank to intervene to prop up the currency, the hryvnia. | The talks are beginning after an acceleration of efforts in recent days by national figures and international diplomats to find a way out of the political chaos. Ukraine is facing an increasingly severe economic crisis that has sharply raised borrowing costs and forced the Central Bank to intervene to prop up the currency, the hryvnia. |
| Catherine Ashton, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, and Victoria Nuland, an American assistant secretary of state, each met with Mr. Yanukovich for several hours this week, delivering strong criticism of a police crackdown on protesters in Independence Square early Wednesday, and also urging him to renew negotiations to sign the accords with Europe and also with the International Monetary Fund to secure a much-needed financial rescue package. | Catherine Ashton, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, and Victoria Nuland, an American assistant secretary of state, each met with Mr. Yanukovich for several hours this week, delivering strong criticism of a police crackdown on protesters in Independence Square early Wednesday, and also urging him to renew negotiations to sign the accords with Europe and also with the International Monetary Fund to secure a much-needed financial rescue package. |
| Since refusing to sign the accords, Mr. Yanukovich has been in talks with Russia about economic assistance. He met with Mr. Putin last week in Sochi and is scheduled to see him again on Dec. 17. | Since refusing to sign the accords, Mr. Yanukovich has been in talks with Russia about economic assistance. He met with Mr. Putin last week in Sochi and is scheduled to see him again on Dec. 17. |
| On Thursday, another wealthy and influential Ukrainian, Serhiy Tigipko, who is a member of Parliament, former economics minister, and former head of the Central Bank, issued a statement urging a series of steps that the Ukrainian president could take to address the political instability, and resolve the crisis. | On Thursday, another wealthy and influential Ukrainian, Serhiy Tigipko, who is a member of Parliament, former economics minister, and former head of the Central Bank, issued a statement urging a series of steps that the Ukrainian president could take to address the political instability, and resolve the crisis. |
| Mr. Tigipko urged no force against protesters, genuine negotiations with protest leaders, and a “serious reformatting” of the government, which would include returning to the path of European integration by signing the political accord known as an “association agreement.” He also urged the creation of a new anticorruption program, and a restoration of negotiations with the I.M.F. | Mr. Tigipko urged no force against protesters, genuine negotiations with protest leaders, and a “serious reformatting” of the government, which would include returning to the path of European integration by signing the political accord known as an “association agreement.” He also urged the creation of a new anticorruption program, and a restoration of negotiations with the I.M.F. |
| “Implementation of these measures will allow us a few months to emerge stronger from the political and economic crisis that has engulfed the country,” Mr. Tigipko wrote, adding, “In my view, this is consistent with the interests of society and the interests of the government.” | “Implementation of these measures will allow us a few months to emerge stronger from the political and economic crisis that has engulfed the country,” Mr. Tigipko wrote, adding, “In my view, this is consistent with the interests of society and the interests of the government.” |
| The far more consequential statement, however, came from Mr. Akhmetov, whose wealth is estimated by Forbes Magazine at more than $15 billion, and whose conglomerate, System Capital Management, owns interests in metals, energy, mining, financial services, media and telecommunications. In his statement, Mr. Akhmetov urged all sides to the negotiating table. | The far more consequential statement, however, came from Mr. Akhmetov, whose wealth is estimated by Forbes Magazine at more than $15 billion, and whose conglomerate, System Capital Management, owns interests in metals, energy, mining, financial services, media and telecommunications. In his statement, Mr. Akhmetov urged all sides to the negotiating table. |
| “I would call this table a table of peace, compromise, and the future of our country,” Mr. Akhmetov wrote. “And let the politicians lose their ratings at this table. But the most important thing is that Ukraine’s rating goes up.” | “I would call this table a table of peace, compromise, and the future of our country,” Mr. Akhmetov wrote. “And let the politicians lose their ratings at this table. But the most important thing is that Ukraine’s rating goes up.” |
| Mr. Akhmetov’s statement could have multiple goals. While he has been pressed to weigh in on the crisis given his influence — a point he noted at them outset of his remarks — Western officials have also raised the prospect of sanctions should there be bloodshed at the protests. There has been speculation that such sanctions would be targeted at government officials and their allies, to avoid punishing the entire country. A statement expressing even tempered support for the protests might keep Mr. Akhmetov out of the fray. | Mr. Akhmetov’s statement could have multiple goals. While he has been pressed to weigh in on the crisis given his influence — a point he noted at them outset of his remarks — Western officials have also raised the prospect of sanctions should there be bloodshed at the protests. There has been speculation that such sanctions would be targeted at government officials and their allies, to avoid punishing the entire country. A statement expressing even tempered support for the protests might keep Mr. Akhmetov out of the fray. |
| Also on Friday, a court granted one demand of protesters by freeing the last of nine demonstrators who had been jailed after earlier clashes with the police. It was a limited victory, however, as officials said that charges would not be dropped and criminal cases against the demonstrators would continue. | Also on Friday, a court granted one demand of protesters by freeing the last of nine demonstrators who had been jailed after earlier clashes with the police. It was a limited victory, however, as officials said that charges would not be dropped and criminal cases against the demonstrators would continue. |
Oksana Lyachynska contributed reporting. | Oksana Lyachynska contributed reporting. |