UKRAINE: Kiev protesters demand resignation of government officials, pro-Russian separatists hold grip in the east
Record ID:
450866
UKRAINE: Kiev protesters demand resignation of government officials, pro-Russian separatists hold grip in the east
- Title: UKRAINE: Kiev protesters demand resignation of government officials, pro-Russian separatists hold grip in the east
- Date: 15th April 2014
- Summary: KIEV, UKRAINE (APRIL 14, 2014) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF KIEV'S PARLIAMENT BUILDING DEMONSTRATORS CHANTING ON STEPS OF PARLIAMENT DEMONSTRATORS CHANTING (in Russian): "Putin khuylo!" (Putin dickhead!) EU FLAG (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UNIDENTIFIED ACTIVIST, SAYING: "We are ready to come here (tomorrow during parliament session) to show to Avakov (Arsen Avakov, Ukrainian Interior Minister) and Nalyvaichenko (Valentyn Nalyvaichenko, Head of Ukraine's State Security Service) (that we are against) their criminal orders, for not showing resistance to the separatists, for police inaction to resist them." DEMONSTRATORS LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UNIDENTIFIED ACTIVIST, SAYING: "Today it was the last warning! Glory to Ukraine (crowd answering "Glory to the heroes"). Glory to the nation (crowd answering "Death to the enemies"). Ukraine! (crowd answering "Above all")." PROTESTERS OUTSIDE PARLIAMENT
- Embargoed: 30th April 2014 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Ukraine
- Country: Ukraine
- Topics: Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA5ALG3X0AQ5BGKM4GDGTR4CW21
- Story Text: Angry protesters staged a demonstration outside Kiev's parliament on Monday (April 14) evening, demanding the resignation of the Ukrainian interior minister and the head of the state security service after authorities failed to follow through with their announced "anti-terrorist" operation against armed pro-Russian separatists stationed in the country's eastern province.
Chanting "Glory to Ukraine" and "Ukraine above all", some 100 protesters and members of self-defence units gathered at the steps of the parliament building, accusing Arsen Avakov and Valentyn Nalyvaichenko of not doing enough to stop armed pro-Russian separatists from seizing more government buildings, after rebels ignored a call to surrender arms.
"We are ready to come here (tomorrow during parliament session) to show to Avakov (Arsen Avakov, Ukrainian Interior Minister) and Nalyvaichenko (Valentyn Nalyvaichenko, Head of Ukraine's State Security Service) (that we are against) their criminal orders, for not showing resistance to the separatists, for police inaction to resist them," said an unidentified activists to cheering crowds.
Ukraine's interim president, Oleksander Turchinov, said the offensive against the rebels would still go ahead.
But in a sign of discord behind the scenes in Kiev, he sacked the state security chief in charge of the operation.
The Ukraine crisis, and in particular the annexation of Crimea by Russia last month, have led to the biggest confrontation between Moscow and the West since the Cold War.
U.S. President Barack Obama criticized Russia in a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin later on Monday, saying Moscow's actions in Ukraine were not conducive to a diplomatic solution. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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