UKRAINE: President Viktor Yanukovich invites opposition for talks during address to the nation as protests continue on Independence Square

Record ID: 861292

  • Title: UKRAINE: President Viktor Yanukovich invites opposition for talks during address to the nation as protests continue on Independence Square
  • Date: 11th December 2013
  • Summary: KIEV, UKRAINE (DECEMBER 11, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS ON INDEPENDENCE SQUARE
  • Embargoed: 26th December 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Ukraine
  • City:
  • Country: Ukraine
  • Topics: General,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA6NUXZWFTFG5O93RYLXD7JSU1K
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich said on Wednesday (December 11) he invited all parties, including the opposition, for talks to find a political compromise to a growing political crisis.
    Yanukovich said the opposition should not refuse and should "not go down the road of stand-off and ultimatums".
    "I said it many times that the only possible way is the way of reconciliation and understanding. Actions of all sides should take place only within the framework of the law and Ukraine's constitution. I'm calling on representatives of all political forces, reverend fathers, civil society representatives to an overall national dialogue. I'm personally ready to take part in such roundtable," he said.
    European Union and U.S. officials have demanded he launch a dialogue with all parties after more than two weeks of protests in central Kiev.
    His comments come after a day of meetings with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland and EU's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.
    But Ukrainian protest leaders said they would not hold talks with President Yanukovich until their demands, including that he resign, were met.
    They called Yanukovich's invitation to dialogue "a farce and a comedy."
    Referring to criticism for an overnight move by Ukrainian riot police to destroy barricades and clear some areas around Kiev's Independence Square - the focal point of anti-government protests for more than two weeks - Yanukovich said the authorities would not take any illegal action.
    "I'm assuring you that the authorities will act only within the framework of the law and will never use force against peaceful gatherings."
    Overnight from Tuesday (December 10) to Wednesday the police cleared streets near the protest camp, bulldozed tents and had skirmishes with demonstrators in the authorities' biggest attempt yet to reclaim streets after weeks of protests against Yanukovich.
    They later surrounded the City Hall, where protesters who have set up a makeshift hospital in the occupied building sprayed them with water hoses to prevent it from being stormed.
    But hours later the battalions of Ukrainian riot police withdrew from the protest camp, abandoned positions around the square and state buildings occupied by demonstrators enraged at Yanukovich's decision to spurn an EU trade deal and move Ukraine further into Russia's orbit.
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