UKRAINE: Ukrainians rally and clash with police on the anniversary of the Orange Revolution a day after the country abandons plans to sign agreements with the European Union

Record ID: 214088

  • Title: UKRAINE: Ukrainians rally and clash with police on the anniversary of the Orange Revolution a day after the country abandons plans to sign agreements with the European Union
  • Date: 23rd November 2013
  • Summary: MAN PLAYING TRUMPET
  • Embargoed: 8th December 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Ukraine
  • Country: Ukraine
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAA0QW5IHGKKYBFXNH00PZH8G30
  • Story Text: Thousands of demonstrators rallied in the Ukrainian capital and clashed with police on Friday (November 22) angered by a government decision to delay a landmark deal with the European Union and revive talks on ties with Russia.
    The protests evoked memories of the Orange Revolution, which Tymoshenko co-led, but their numbers could not compared with the tens of thousands who massed nine years ago.
    There was a likelihood, however, of a far higher turn-out on Sunday (November 24), when a large rally is being called by the opposition.
    Waving Ukrainian and EU flags, and carrying signs showing support for integration into the EU, supporters braved rain and a large police presence in Kiev's Independence Square.
    Opposition leader and boxing champion Vitaly Klitschko said ordinary Ukrainians - not just politicians - needed to show Ukrainian authorities their displeasure in the decision.

    "I can't do anything myself. It doesn't matter how strong I am. But if I don't have your support, nothing will change," he said, adding: "Our main task is to get united because we are united by the desire to live in a better country. What do we have to do? Every one of us has to bring 20, 40, 100 people here (to the square for the protest on Sunday). And then, if there are a lot of us, we can go and demand. And think what if a million people take stand?"
    Jailed Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko on Friday called on people to take to the streets.
    Several hundred demonstrators, ringed by riot police, had already gathered in central Kiev denouncing the government's action even before Tymoshenko issued her emotional appeal. They waved EU flags and chanted anti-government slogans.
    As the rally progressed, riot police started to clear the crowds, pulling down tarps used as rain shelters and pushing protesters from the square.
    Protester Olexiy Stepensky said he wanted to stay in the square to show his discontent.

    "Yes I'm going to spend the night here. To sign into association with the EU is very important to me. I travel a lot in Europe. Or just to put it simply, I want to live like Europeans do, as European citizens," he said.
    Protester Sergiy Rozov said he was floored by the government's policy reverse after years of building up to the signing of a trade and cooperation agreement with the EU, scheduled for Nov. 29.

    "I am organically repulsed at the morals of the ruling party. I don't want to take up a weapon in my hands. That's why I came to stay here so far," he said.
    The country of 46 million is heavily indebted and must find more than 17 billion USD next year to meet gas bills to Russia and debt repayments including 3.7 billion USD to the International Monetary Fund.
    Yanukovich had been due to sign the agreement with the EU at a summit in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius in a week's time, but came under pressure by Russia, Ukraine's biggest trading partner and main source of gas, to back off the deal and join a Moscow-led customs union.
    No details have yet emerged of what deal was struck between Yanukovich and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who on Friday savoured a diplomatic triumph over the 28-member western bloc.
    But it seemed certain that it involved economic benefits, including a cheaper price for gas, which Kiev has been seeking for four years, and possibly loans.
    The opposition, which has been accusing Yanukovich for weeks of preparing to pull out of the deal with the EU, saw his motivation in self-enrichment and his determination to secure a second term in power in 2015.
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