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| Ukraine protests: sanctions imposed by EU Foreign Ministers in reaction to dozens of deaths in Kiev | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| EU Foreign Ministers have imposed sanctions on Ukraine after at least 22 people reportedly died in the capital, while 67 policemen are being held hostage. | |
| The ministers agreed on Thursday to impose sanctions on Ukraine, including visa bans, asset freezes and restrictions on the export of anti-riot equipment, but proposals for a ban on arms exports were dropped , ministers and officials said. | |
| The restrictions, to be drafted into law in the coming days, will apply to those involved with ordering or orchestrating the violence in Kiev. | |
| The agreement comes after live rounds were fired in fresh clashes this morning, after a truce agreed on Wednesday collapsed. | |
| The country's interior ministry said protesters are holding 67 policemen hostage in the capital. Earlier the ministry said "Berkut" riot policemen had been armed with combat weapons to regain control of the protest site. | The country's interior ministry said protesters are holding 67 policemen hostage in the capital. Earlier the ministry said "Berkut" riot policemen had been armed with combat weapons to regain control of the protest site. |
| "To free the hostages police have the right to use their weapons," the ministry said in a statement posted to its website. | "To free the hostages police have the right to use their weapons," the ministry said in a statement posted to its website. |
| Meanwhile, the White House has urged Ukraine's President to immediately withdraw security forces and respect the right of peaceful protest. "We are outraged by images of Ukrainian security forces firing automatic weapons on their own people," White House spokesman Jay Carney said in a statement. | Meanwhile, the White House has urged Ukraine's President to immediately withdraw security forces and respect the right of peaceful protest. "We are outraged by images of Ukrainian security forces firing automatic weapons on their own people," White House spokesman Jay Carney said in a statement. |
| Late on Wednesday, Washington also imposed US visa bans on 20 Ukrainian government officials it considered “responsible for ordering human rights abuses related to political oppression,” a senior State Department official announced. | Late on Wednesday, Washington also imposed US visa bans on 20 Ukrainian government officials it considered “responsible for ordering human rights abuses related to political oppression,” a senior State Department official announced. |
| Eyewitnesses told The Associated Press they had seen 22 bodies near the main protest camp, and a police officer is believed to be among those dead. Dozens of protesters have been using the lobby of Hotel Ukraine as a triage centre to treat the wounded. | Eyewitnesses told The Associated Press they had seen 22 bodies near the main protest camp, and a police officer is believed to be among those dead. Dozens of protesters have been using the lobby of Hotel Ukraine as a triage centre to treat the wounded. |
| At least 50 people in total have been killed in the escalating violence this week after a truce with opposition leaders collapsed. Shocking video footage has emerged today claiming to show snipers firing at protesters, some of which appear lying on the pavement. | At least 50 people in total have been killed in the escalating violence this week after a truce with opposition leaders collapsed. Shocking video footage has emerged today claiming to show snipers firing at protesters, some of which appear lying on the pavement. |
| One video appeared to show an opposition militant firing from behind a tree. | One video appeared to show an opposition militant firing from behind a tree. |
| Anti-government protesters hold riot policemen (C) captive In Independence Square, protesters have been throwing petrol bombs and police have been responding with water cannons and tear gas. | Anti-government protesters hold riot policemen (C) captive In Independence Square, protesters have been throwing petrol bombs and police have been responding with water cannons and tear gas. |
| Kiev's mayor has resigned over the bloodshed and residents in the capital are being told to stay indoors by Ukrainian police, according to AFP. | Kiev's mayor has resigned over the bloodshed and residents in the capital are being told to stay indoors by Ukrainian police, according to AFP. |
| President Viktor Yanukovich has released a statement accusing protesters of "going on the offensive" and "working in organised groups". | President Viktor Yanukovich has released a statement accusing protesters of "going on the offensive" and "working in organised groups". |
| "They are using firearms, including sniper rifles" the statement said. "They are shooting to kill. The number of dead and injured among police officers is dozens." | "They are using firearms, including sniper rifles" the statement said. "They are shooting to kill. The number of dead and injured among police officers is dozens." |
| An anti-government protester shows a bullet after violence erupted in the Independence Square (Reuters) The Ukrainian skier Bogdana Matsotska announced she will be withdrawing from the Olympics in response to the violence in her country, with her father saying she did so in "solidarity with the fighters." | An anti-government protester shows a bullet after violence erupted in the Independence Square (Reuters) The Ukrainian skier Bogdana Matsotska announced she will be withdrawing from the Olympics in response to the violence in her country, with her father saying she did so in "solidarity with the fighters." |
| TV pictures showed protesters seizing back Independence Square and surging forward into areas that were on Wednesday occupied by riot police after a day of violence. | TV pictures showed protesters seizing back Independence Square and surging forward into areas that were on Wednesday occupied by riot police after a day of violence. |
| The EU talks come after Ukraine’s president had announced a truce with the opposition. | The EU talks come after Ukraine’s president had announced a truce with the opposition. |
| President Barack Obama had warned “there will be consequences” for Ukraine if the violence continues, but expressed hope that the truce would hold. | President Barack Obama had warned “there will be consequences” for Ukraine if the violence continues, but expressed hope that the truce would hold. |
| Responding cautiously to Mr Yanukovych’s statement, President Obama deemed the truce a “welcome step forward,” but said the White House would continue to monitor the situation closely to “ensure that actions mirror words.” | Responding cautiously to Mr Yanukovych’s statement, President Obama deemed the truce a “welcome step forward,” but said the White House would continue to monitor the situation closely to “ensure that actions mirror words.” |
| Protesters carry a wounded fellow protester Many victims of the violence died after swathes of central Kiev were transformed into fiery battlefields on Tuesday when police attacked the anti-government protest camps which have occupied Independence Square for nearly three months. | Protesters carry a wounded fellow protester Many victims of the violence died after swathes of central Kiev were transformed into fiery battlefields on Tuesday when police attacked the anti-government protest camps which have occupied Independence Square for nearly three months. |
| Mr Yanukovych declared Thursday a day of mourning for the dead. | Mr Yanukovych declared Thursday a day of mourning for the dead. |
| Additional reporting by Reuters and Associated Press | Additional reporting by Reuters and Associated Press |