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Ukraine: Seventeen protesters killed as EU talks begin | |
(35 minutes later) | |
At least 17 protesters have been killed in renewed clashes with police in central Kiev after a truce agreed on Wednesday broke down, eyewitnesses say. | At least 17 protesters have been killed in renewed clashes with police in central Kiev after a truce agreed on Wednesday broke down, eyewitnesses say. |
Witnesses reported live rounds, petrol bombs and water cannon at the main protest site, Independence Square. | Witnesses reported live rounds, petrol bombs and water cannon at the main protest site, Independence Square. |
A meeting between EU foreign ministers and President Viktor Yanukovych is now under way, officials say, contradicting earlier reports that the ministers had flown out without seeing him. | A meeting between EU foreign ministers and President Viktor Yanukovych is now under way, officials say, contradicting earlier reports that the ministers had flown out without seeing him. |
The EU will discuss sanctions later. | The EU will discuss sanctions later. |
Eyewitnesses quoted by international news agencies say they have counted at least 17, and as many as 21 bodies. | Eyewitnesses quoted by international news agencies say they have counted at least 17, and as many as 21 bodies. |
The BBC's Kevin Bishop, in Kiev, saw five dead bodies in the reception area of the Hotel Ukraine, which all foreign media in the city are using as a base. | The BBC's Kevin Bishop, in Kiev, saw five dead bodies in the reception area of the Hotel Ukraine, which all foreign media in the city are using as a base. |
Several dozen protesters are using the lobby as a triage centre for wounded, and a priest arrived a short time ago, our correspondent says. | Several dozen protesters are using the lobby as a triage centre for wounded, and a priest arrived a short time ago, our correspondent says. |
Protesters - some of them armed - have been asking hotel guests for blankets to use as bandages. | Protesters - some of them armed - have been asking hotel guests for blankets to use as bandages. |
Earlier, two armoured vehicles were seen in the street leading towards Independence Square, also known as the Maidan, the centre of the protests in Kiev. | Earlier, two armoured vehicles were seen in the street leading towards Independence Square, also known as the Maidan, the centre of the protests in Kiev. |
A statement on the presidential website blames the opposition for starting the violence, saying the "calls for a truce and dialogue were nothing but a way for playing for time to mobilise and arm militants from Maidan". | A statement on the presidential website blames the opposition for starting the violence, saying the "calls for a truce and dialogue were nothing but a way for playing for time to mobilise and arm militants from Maidan". |
The foreign ministers of Germany, Poland and France are meeting Mr Yanukovych. | The foreign ministers of Germany, Poland and France are meeting Mr Yanukovych. |
The talks were moved from their original location, for security reasons, officials said, and were at first reported cancelled. | The talks were moved from their original location, for security reasons, officials said, and were at first reported cancelled. |
A full meeting of EU foreign ministers and EU foreign police envoy Catherine Ashton will take place later on Thursday. | A full meeting of EU foreign ministers and EU foreign police envoy Catherine Ashton will take place later on Thursday. |
Sanctions on Ukraine are likely to be discussed, including a possible ban on sales of equipment that can be used for internal repression. | Sanctions on Ukraine are likely to be discussed, including a possible ban on sales of equipment that can be used for internal repression. |
Thursday has been declared a day of mourning for the dead. | Thursday has been declared a day of mourning for the dead. |
Most of the victims died during clashes on Tuesday - the bloodiest day since the unrest erupted in late November. | Most of the victims died during clashes on Tuesday - the bloodiest day since the unrest erupted in late November. |
In other developments: | In other developments: |
Visa bans | Visa bans |
The EU has so far refrained from imposing sanctions on Ukraine, preferring to stress dialogue and compromise. | The EU has so far refrained from imposing sanctions on Ukraine, preferring to stress dialogue and compromise. |
For its part, the US state department announced visa bans on 20 members of the Ukrainian government but did not provide any names. | For its part, the US state department announced visa bans on 20 members of the Ukrainian government but did not provide any names. |
The media wing of the opposition Udar party, led by former boxer Vitaly Klitschko, said the next round of negotiations with President Yanukovych would resume later on Thursday. | The media wing of the opposition Udar party, led by former boxer Vitaly Klitschko, said the next round of negotiations with President Yanukovych would resume later on Thursday. |
It is not yet clear whether these talks will go ahead. | It is not yet clear whether these talks will go ahead. |
The far-right Right Sector protest movement said it had not signed up to the truce and there was "nothing to negotiate". | The far-right Right Sector protest movement said it had not signed up to the truce and there was "nothing to negotiate". |
The protests first erupted in November when President Yanukovych rejected a landmark association and trade deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia. | The protests first erupted in November when President Yanukovych rejected a landmark association and trade deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia. |
Since then, the protests spread across Ukraine, with the main demand of snap presidential and parliamentary elections. | Since then, the protests spread across Ukraine, with the main demand of snap presidential and parliamentary elections. |
Are you in Ukraine? Have you seen or taken part in any of the protests? Email your stories to haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukwith the subject heading 'Ukraine'. | Are you in Ukraine? Have you seen or taken part in any of the protests? Email your stories to haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukwith the subject heading 'Ukraine'. |
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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