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Ukraine president, protest leaders agree to a truce Ukraine president, protest leaders agree to a truce
(about 3 hours later)
KIEV, Ukraine – With signs of turmoil evident within his government, President Viktor Yanukovych met with opposition political leaders Wednesday evening and announced that they had reached an agreement on a truce to end the fighting that broke out Tuesday and has left 26 dead. KIEV, Ukraine – President Viktor Yanukovych met with opposition political leaders Wednesday evening and announced that they had reached an agreement on a truce to end the fighting that broke out Tuesday and has left at least 26 dead.
The two sides also said they agreed to resume negotiations toward a settlement. The two sides also said they had agreed to resume negotiations toward a settlement. They met after a day that brought signs of turmoil within Yanukovych’s government , including the unexplained dismissal of the chief military commander.
The development came as U.S. and European leaders strongly condemned the violence here, and the United States said it was imposing visa sanctions on 20 Ukrainian officials — while Russia condemned the opposition. The development came as U.S. and European leaders condemned the violence and the United States said it was imposing visa sanctions on 20 Ukrainian officials. Russia, meanwhile, condemned the opposition.
The pressure on Ukraine – internal and external – has only increased, approaching the point where something here has to give. The two sides are so far apart that actual reconciliation appears to be impossible. The challenge facing the two sides now is to reach a resolution of the crisis even without reconciliation. The pressure on Ukraine — internal and external — has only increased, and the two sides are so far apart that reconciliation appears impossible. They are now faced with the challenge of getting the country back on track even without reconciling politically.
[Watch live video from Kiev][Watch live video from Kiev]
The hostility between Yanukovych and the political opposition is deep and intense, and now paid for in blood. Regional disparities are flaring, with governors in the east denouncing the protesters and demanding a crackdown, while in the west entire cities are declaring virtual autonomy from the central government. The hostility between Yanukovych and the political opposition is deep and intense, and now has been paid for in blood. Regional differences are flaring, with governors in the east near the Russian border denouncing the protesters and demanding a crackdown, while in the west, cities are declaring virtual autonomy from the central government. Opposition leaders, for their part, are leading a movement that includes hard-line militants who are not keen on political compromise.
Abroad, the Western nations and Russia each blamed the other for supporting one of the two sides in Ukraine’s long-running political crisis. Abroad, the Western nations and Russia blamed each other for supporting one of the two sides in Ukraine’s long-running political crisis.
The country, which has experienced regular bouts of political turmoil since the Soviet downfall two decades ago, but never the sort of violence seen Tuesday, would appear to be at a point of fracture. And that may now be extending into the government itself. The country, which has experienced regular bouts of political turmoil since the downfall of the Soviet Union two decades ago — but never the sort of violence seen Tuesday — appears to be at a point of fracture.
As fires continued to burn on the Maidan, or Independence Square, forming a buffer of flame and thick greasy smoke between protesters and police, the Security Service of Ukraine announced that it was launching an “anti-terrorist operation.” A little while later, the Defense Ministry said it might join in. That may now be extending to the government itself.
As fires continued to burn Wednesday on the Maidan, or Independence Square, forming a buffer of flame and thick greasy smoke between protesters and police, the state security service announced it was launching an “antiterrorist operation.” A little while later, the Defense Ministry said it might join in.
It appeared as though a serious escalation was in the works. But then Yanukovych fired his chief military commander Wednesday evening.It appeared as though a serious escalation was in the works. But then Yanukovych fired his chief military commander Wednesday evening.
Col. Gen. Volodymyr Zamana had been quoted a month ago as saying that the armed forces should never be used against Ukrainian civilians, and this may have been the reason for his ouster. The Ukrainian army is not as well-funded or powerful a force as the Interior Ministry. Nonetheless, it wields heavy weaponry, which the opposition fears may come into play. Col. Gen. Volodymyr Zamana was quoted a month ago as saying that the armed forces should never be used against Ukrainian civilians, and this may have been the reason for his ouster. The Ukrainian army is not as well-funded or powerful a force as the Interior Ministry. Nonetheless, it wields heavy weaponry that the opposition fears may come into play.
But the Ukraine military has joined with NATO in Iraq and Afghanistan, and has particularly close relations with the Polish military, at a time when Poland is Yanukovych’s most vocal critic. This may cause Yanukovych to be uncertain of its loyalty in a fight portrayed as East vs. West. U.S. military leaders have been unable for the past several days to reach their Ukrainian counterparts to warn them against getting involved in the crisis, a senior U.S. official said Wednesday night, and this is a matter of some concern.
Then, later in the evening, the security service, the SBU, said that although it was making preparations for an anti-terrorist operation, it had not put one into effect, according to the Interfax news agency. Ukraine’s military has joined with NATO in Iraq and Afghanistan and has particularly close relations with the Polish military. But Poland has been Yanukovych’s most vocal critic, and that may leave him uncertain of his own army’s loyalty in a fight portrayed as East vs. West.
All this has left Ukrainians wondering whether a crackdown was coming – and if so, how effective it might be, given the conflicting pressures on the beleaguered country. Later in the evening, the security service said that although it was making preparations for an antiterrorist operation, it had not put one into effect, according to the Interfax news agency.
Small but violent protests left several people wounded – and one reported dead – in Khmelnitsky and Odessa, the Black Sea port. All this has left Ukrainians wondering whether a crackdown is coming, and if so, how effective it might be given the conflicting pressures on the beleaguered country.
In eastern Donetsk, Yanukovych’s home town, and Kharkov, governors talked tough about defeating the protests. Small but violent protests Wednesday left several people wounded, and one reported dead, in the Black Sea port of Odessa and in the western city of Khmelnytskyy.
But the city of Lviv in western Ukraine effectively declared itself autonomous from the rule of the central government. In nearby Ivano-Frankivsk, the local commander of the security forces pledged not to carry out – or give — any illegal orders. In the east — in Donetsk, Yanukovych’s home town, and Kharkov — governors talked tough about defeating the protests.
The Russian foreign ministry, which backs Yanukovych, said the events of Tuesday were an attempted coup by the opposition, and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called on Western countries to use their influence with the opposition to force it into negotiations with the government. But the city of Lviv in western Ukraine effectively declared itself autonomous of the central government. In nearby Ivano-Frankivsk, the local commander of the security forces pledged not to carry out or give any illegal orders.
But the White House and European Union strongly criticized Yanukovych earlier Wednesday, blaming him for the violence. Obama warns both sides
President Obama, who embarked on a trip to Mexico on Wednesday for a meeting with his Mexican and Canadian counterparts, had warnings for both Yanukovych and protest leaders. The Russian Foreign Ministry, which backs Yanukovych, said Tuesday’s violence was an attempted coup by the opposition, and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called on Western countries to use their influence with the opposition to force it into negotiations with the government.
“I want to be very clear as we work through these next several days in Ukraine that we’re going to be watching closely and we expect the Ukrainian government to show restraint, to not resort to violence in dealing with peaceful protestors,” Obama said. “We’ve also said we expect peaceful protestors to remain peaceful, and we’ll be monitoring very closely the situation, recognizing that with our European partners and the international community there will be consequences if people step over the line.” The White House and the European Union strongly criticized Yanukovych earlier Wednesday, blaming him for the violence.
E.U. Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on Wednesday expressed “shock and utter dismay” over the “violence and use of excessive force,” which he blamed on Ukraine’s “political leadership.” He said he expects the E.U. to agree on “targeted measures against those responsible.” President Obama had warnings for both Yanukovych and protest leaders.
“I want to be very clear as we work through these next several days in Ukraine that we’re going to be watching closely and we expect the Ukrainian government to show restraint, to not resort to violence in dealing with peaceful protesters,” Obama said. “We’ve also said we expect peaceful protesters to remain peaceful, and we’ll be monitoring very closely the situation, recognizing that with our European partners and the international community there will be consequences if people step over the line.”
E.U. Commission President José Manuel Barroso expressed “shock and utter dismay” Wednesday over the “violence and use of excessive force,” which he blamed on Ukraine’s “political leadership.” He said he expects the E.U. to agree on “targeted measures against those responsible.”
The Swedish foreign minister, Carl Bildt, said Yanukovych “has blood on his hands.”The Swedish foreign minister, Carl Bildt, said Yanukovych “has blood on his hands.”
Bildt said Ukraine would have been on its way to a better future by now, with a trade agreement with the E.U., were it not for threats from Moscow.Bildt said Ukraine would have been on its way to a better future by now, with a trade agreement with the E.U., were it not for threats from Moscow.
“It is a dark day in Europe,” he said. The foreign ministers of Poland, Germany and France intend to travel here Thursday to hold talks about the crisis, and then to Brussels for an E.U. meeting to consider targeted sanctions against Ukrainian officials.
The foreign ministers of Poland, Germany and France intend to travel here Thursday to hold talks about the continuing crisis, and then to Brussels for an E.U. meeting to consider targeted sanctions against Ukrainian officials. Authorities said 800 people have been injured, and of the 26 killed, 10 were Interior Ministry troops.
“No one wants Ukraine to descend into chaos/choice is in President Yanukovich’s hands,” tweeted Secretary of State John F. Kerry.
Authorities said 800 people have been injured, and of the 26 killed, 10 are interior ministry troops.
[READ: Could this become civil war?][READ: Could this become civil war?]
There have been guarded expression of unease within the ruling Party of Regions over the turn of events. Ukraine is without a prime minister a month after Mykola Azarov was forced from office. Rinat Akhmetov, an oligarch once very close to Yanukovych, has called for an end to violence by both sides. There have been guarded expressions of unease within the ruling Party of Regions over the violence. Ukraine is without a prime minister a month after Mykola Azarov was forced from office. Rinat Akhmetov, an oligarch once very close to Yanukovych, has called for an end to violence by both sides.
If an “anti-terrorist” campaign unfolds, it is not clear what it will entail or how effectively it could be carried out nationwide. Government officials say hardline protesters have stolen 1,500 firearms during the three months of demonstrations, and have used them against police. A special operation would presumably give the SBU the authority to seize people and property without court orders for a specified period. Focus on rightists
If an “antiterrorist” campaign begins, it is not clear what it will entail or how effectively it could be carried out. Government officials say hard-line protesters have stolen 1,500 firearms during the three months of demonstrations and have used them against police. A special operation would presumably give the security service the authority to seize people and property without court orders for a specified period.
Vice President Biden has warned Yanukovych several times — most recently Tuesday — against declaring a state of emergency.Vice President Biden has warned Yanukovych several times — most recently Tuesday — against declaring a state of emergency.
The defense ministry denied that armored units were moving toward Kiev. Paratroop battalions have been reported being deployed, but to guard defense ministry sites, not to take part in an attack on civilian protesters, officials said. The Defense Ministry denied that armored units were moving to Kiev. Paratroop battalions have been deployed to guard Defense Ministry sites, but not to take part in an attack on protesters, officials said.
Yanukovych, echoing the Russians, had said that the prime political leaders of the opposition must disassociate themselves from the hardline right-wingers among the protesters who have done most of the fighting with police. Yanukovych, echoing the Russians, has said that the top political leaders of the opposition must disassociate themselves from the right-wingers among the protesters who have done most of the fighting with police.
The helmeted young militants of the group that calls itself Pravy Sektor have without question complicated the role of the more moderate political leaders – and in important ways helped to set the opposition agenda. Helmeted young militants of the group that calls itself Pravy Sektor have without question complicated the role of more moderate political leaders, and in important ways have helped set the opposition agenda. Opposition politicians have been careful not to have a falling-out with their most committed wing.
But the opposition politicians have been careful not to have a falling-out with their most committed wing. In a joint statement, the three main opposition parties said they were not responsible for Tuesday’s deadly violence.
In a joint statement by the three main opposition parties, they said they were not responsible for Tuesday’s deadly violence.
“We have never called and never will call people to pick up arms,” it said. “This is our principled stance. The death of any person is a personal tragedy for each one of us.”“We have never called and never will call people to pick up arms,” it said. “This is our principled stance. The death of any person is a personal tragedy for each one of us.”
The statement called on Yanukovych to enforce a complete cease-fire and withdraw Interior troops from around the Maidan.
“Yanukovych must finally realize that there is an uprising in the country against him personally caused by all his policies during the time of his four-year term,” the statement said. “People driven to despair demand not simply the dismissal of Yanukovych but his trial.”
In Sochi, Russia, the Ukrainian Olympic team asked IOC officials if they could wear black armbands in mourning over the deaths here, but the request was turned down.