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Ukraine crisis: EU sanctions push over Kiev bloodshed Ukraine crisis: EU sanctions push over Kiev bloodshed
(about 1 hour later)
Europe's leaders are to consider urgent sanctions against Ukraine after the worst violence in months of unrest claimed at least 26 lives.Europe's leaders are to consider urgent sanctions against Ukraine after the worst violence in months of unrest claimed at least 26 lives.
There were further violent clashes on Wednesday afternoon as police renewed attempts to dislodge protesters from their stronghold in the capital Kiev. There were sporadic clashes on Wednesday following Tuesday night's police bid to dislodge protesters from their stronghold in the capital Kiev.
President Viktor Yanukovych blamed opposition leaders and Russia spoke of an attempted coup.President Viktor Yanukovych blamed opposition leaders and Russia spoke of an attempted coup.
But the EU said it expected measures to target those behind the "repression".But the EU said it expected measures to target those behind the "repression".
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso spoke of the responsibility of "the political leadership" while several EU countries said they had no doubts that the Ukrainian authorities were to blame.European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso spoke of the responsibility of "the political leadership" while several EU countries said they had no doubts that the Ukrainian authorities were to blame.
At a joint news conference, French President Francois Hollande said those responsible for the violence "will be sanctioned" at an emergency meeting due to take place on Thursday, while German Chancellor Angela Merkel echoed the threat, saying they were "side by side with the men and women who suffer".At a joint news conference, French President Francois Hollande said those responsible for the violence "will be sanctioned" at an emergency meeting due to take place on Thursday, while German Chancellor Angela Merkel echoed the threat, saying they were "side by side with the men and women who suffer".
Meanwhile Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Piotr Serafin said there was "complete consensus" among EU leaders about the need to introduce sanctions against Ukraine.
The foreign ministers of France, Germany and Poland are to meet in Kiev on Thursday to assess the situation before an EU meeting in Brussels to decide whether to impose sanctions against Ukraine, said French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius.
Ukraine's security service has announced a nationwide "anti-terrorist" operation to restore order, while the defence ministry said it was sending paratroopers to Kiev - to defend government offices and military installations, it stressed, and not to confront anti-government protesters.Ukraine's security service has announced a nationwide "anti-terrorist" operation to restore order, while the defence ministry said it was sending paratroopers to Kiev - to defend government offices and military installations, it stressed, and not to confront anti-government protesters.
Police have been trying to wrest control of Kiev's Independence Square, also known as the Maidan, which has been in the hands of protesters for several months.Police have been trying to wrest control of Kiev's Independence Square, also known as the Maidan, which has been in the hands of protesters for several months.
The protests began in late November, when President Yanukovych rejected a landmark association and trade deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia.The protests began in late November, when President Yanukovych rejected a landmark association and trade deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia.
Tensions had begun to subside as recently as Monday, when protesters ended their occupation of government buildings in return for an amnesty from prosecution.Tensions had begun to subside as recently as Monday, when protesters ended their occupation of government buildings in return for an amnesty from prosecution.
But violence erupted outside parliament on Tuesday morning as government supporters blocked opposition attempts to scale back the president's constitutional powers. They argued more time was needed to discuss the proposals.But violence erupted outside parliament on Tuesday morning as government supporters blocked opposition attempts to scale back the president's constitutional powers. They argued more time was needed to discuss the proposals.
Correspondents say it is unclear what sparked the clashes, with each side blaming the other. Correspondents say it is unclear what sparked the hours of clashes, with each side blaming the other.
Protesters accused pro-government agents provocateurs, known as "titushki", of inciting some of the violence while the government said radical Right Sector supporters were involved.Protesters accused pro-government agents provocateurs, known as "titushki", of inciting some of the violence while the government said radical Right Sector supporters were involved.
Fighting spread to surrounding streets and police launched a first attack on Independence Square on Tuesday evening. Protesters hurled paving stones, fireworks and petrol bombs while police used water cannon and stun grenades. Both sides accused the other of using live ammunition.
On Wednesday, the violence subsided but there were still periodic clashes and protesters are reported to have seized the central post office.
The health minister says at least 600 people have been wounded, more than half of them police officers.The health minister says at least 600 people have been wounded, more than half of them police officers.
A doctor treating wounded protesters in hospital, Dr Olga Bogomolets, told the BBC: "Police are coming into the hospitals and they are trying to take the wounded people to prison."A doctor treating wounded protesters in hospital, Dr Olga Bogomolets, told the BBC: "Police are coming into the hospitals and they are trying to take the wounded people to prison."
She said hundreds of volunteers were guarding the hospitals in response.She said hundreds of volunteers were guarding the hospitals in response.
The number of dead on both sides has climbed to 26 and it is feared the death toll could increase. They include:The number of dead on both sides has climbed to 26 and it is feared the death toll could increase. They include:
Unrest is also reported outside Kiev, with a woman reportedly shot dead during an attempt to storm a building belonging to the security services in Khmelnytskyy.Unrest is also reported outside Kiev, with a woman reportedly shot dead during an attempt to storm a building belonging to the security services in Khmelnytskyy.
Police headquarters have been attacked in the western city of Lviv, where protesters are reported to have seized police cars and police weapons.Police headquarters have been attacked in the western city of Lviv, where protesters are reported to have seized police cars and police weapons.
Protesters have also seized the regional administration headquarters in the city of Ivano-Frankivsk.Protesters have also seized the regional administration headquarters in the city of Ivano-Frankivsk.
Local media reported that the police station in Ternopil, also in western Ukraine, had been burned down. Local media reported that the police station in Ternopil, also in western Ukraine, had burned down after being set alight.
'Crossed the line''Crossed the line'
Opposition leaders Vitaly Klitschko and Arseniy Yatsenyuk met President Yanukovych for late night talks but failed to come to an agreement.Opposition leaders Vitaly Klitschko and Arseniy Yatsenyuk met President Yanukovych for late night talks but failed to come to an agreement.
In a statement broadcast on TV news channels on Wednesday morning, President Yanukovych said: "The opposition leaders have disregarded the principle of democracy according to which one obtains power not on the streets or maidans - but through elections.In a statement broadcast on TV news channels on Wednesday morning, President Yanukovych said: "The opposition leaders have disregarded the principle of democracy according to which one obtains power not on the streets or maidans - but through elections.
"They have crossed the line by calling for people to take up arms.""They have crossed the line by calling for people to take up arms."
He warned that those responsible for violence would face the law.He warned that those responsible for violence would face the law.
But the president added that there was a "better and more effective way" to solve the crisis, through dialogue and compromise.But the president added that there was a "better and more effective way" to solve the crisis, through dialogue and compromise.
Russia accused opposition protesters of trying to engineer a "violent takeover of power".Russia accused opposition protesters of trying to engineer a "violent takeover of power".
President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said responsibility for the escalation of violence lay "specifically with extremists" whose actions could be seen as "an attempted coup d'etat".President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said responsibility for the escalation of violence lay "specifically with extremists" whose actions could be seen as "an attempted coup d'etat".
He refused to answer questions about when a second bailout instalment, promised by Moscow on Monday, would be released. Russia's $15bn (£9bn) bailout was seen as a reward for Mr Yanukovych's decision in November to pull out of the EU association deal. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov once again accused Western countries of encouraging "these acts of provocation. "
After a turbulent night, Kiev's Independence Square was relatively quiet during the morning although the clashes had resumed by Wednesday afternoon. Mr Peskov refused to answer questions about when a second bailout instalment, promised by Moscow on Monday, would be released. Russia's $15bn (£9bn) bailout was seen as a reward for Mr Yanukovych's decision in November to pull out of the EU association deal.
Riot police fired stun grenades and used water cannon while protesters responded with stones and petrol bombs. "This is an island of freedom and we will defend it," said Mr Klitschko, the former boxer and leader of the Udar (Punch) party.
Opposition leaders called on Ukrainians elsewhere to come to the square.
"This is an island of freedom and we will defend it," said Vitaly Klitschko, the leader of the Udar (Punch) party.
Mr Yatsenyuk, who heads the Fatherland party, appealed to President Yanukovych to "stop the bloodshed and call a truce".Mr Yatsenyuk, who heads the Fatherland party, appealed to President Yanukovych to "stop the bloodshed and call a truce".
One unifying Ukrainian voice emerged from the Winter Olympics in Sochi in the form of former pole vault champion Sergei Bubka.One unifying Ukrainian voice emerged from the Winter Olympics in Sochi in the form of former pole vault champion Sergei Bubka.
Now head of Ukraine's Olympic Committee, he urged all sides to halt the violence that "puts our country on the brink of catastrophe".Now head of Ukraine's Olympic Committee, he urged all sides to halt the violence that "puts our country on the brink of catastrophe".
Are you in Ukraine? Have you seen or taken part in any of the protests? Email your stories to haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukAre you in Ukraine? Have you seen or taken part in any of the protests? Email your stories to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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