UKRAINE: Ukrainian boxer and opposition leader Vitaly Klitschko demands the government resign over its about-face on European integration as protesters scuffle with police outside of the country's Cabinet of Ministers

Record ID: 863461

  • Title: UKRAINE: Ukrainian boxer and opposition leader Vitaly Klitschko demands the government resign over its about-face on European integration as protesters scuffle with police outside of the country's Cabinet of Ministers
  • Date: 25th November 2013
  • Summary: KIEV, UKRAINE (NOVEMBER 25, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS OUTSIDE OF CABINET OF MINISTERS BUILDING VARIOUS OF HELMETED POLICE SCUFFLING WITH PROTESTERS PROTESTERS STANDING POLICEMEN PUTTING ON GAS MASKS VARIOUS OF POLICE PROTESTERS (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) BOXER AND UKRAINIAN OPPOSITION LEADER, VITALY KLITSCHKO, SAYING: "We demand the resignation of the government of (Prime Minister) Azarov, after it adopted laws which do not correspond with the interests of the Ukrainian state, which are in breach with the laws on European integration." HELMETED POLICE IN GAS MASKS (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) OPPOSITION LEADER, ARSENIY YATSENYUK, SAYING: "Our task, by the 29th of November, is to not let him to destroy our dream, destroying the expectations of millions of Ukrainians, the hopes for a better and bright European future. This is the demand of the Ukrainian people." POLICE OUTSIDE OF CABINET OF MINISTERS BUILDING VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS IN RAIN
  • Embargoed: 10th December 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Ukraine
  • City:
  • Country: Ukraine
  • Topics: Crime,European Union,Politics,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVACXLR5I1OY4FIQGYMQ02E09PXE
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Protesters got in a pushing match with Ukrainian police in Kiev on Monday (November 25) in a protest over the ex-Soviet state's decision to turn down closer association with the European Union.
    World boxing champion-turned-politician Vitaly Klitschko made an appearance at the protest - held outside Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers - calling on the government to resign.
    "We demand the resignation of the government of (Prime Minister) Azarov, after it adopted laws which do not correspond with the interests of the Ukrainian state, which are in breech with the laws on European integration," Klitschko said.
    The signing of the association agreement was to be the centre-piece of an EU summit in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, on Friday (November 29) and mark a historic swing westwards away from Russia, Ukraine's old Soviet master.
    Opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk said the government's decision was crushing the dreams of Ukrainian people.
    "Our task, by the 29th of November, is to not let him to destroy our dream, destroying the expectations of millions of Ukrainians, the hopes for a better and bright European future. This is the demand of the Ukrainian people," Yatsenyuk told protesters.
    The Kremlin had threatened trade retaliation, arousing fears of cut-offs in supplies of Russian gas to Ukraine and through it to the West.
    Opposition leaders say President Viktor Yanukovich had never intended to sign in Vilnius and had used protracted negotiations as a screen while bargaining with Russia to secure a lucrative deal which would also ensure his re-election in 2015.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2013. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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