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Ukraine Protesters Reinforce Barricades as Talks Break Down

by Henry Ridgwell January 24, 2014

Talks between the Ukrainian president and the opposition aimed at ending days of violent anti-government protests appear to have broken down without agreement. The demonstrations erupted two months ago after President Viktor Yanukovich refused to sign an agreement bringing the country closer to the European Union - instead opting to sign deals with Russia.

On Hrushevskiy Street in Kyiv - scene of the worst violence of the past week - the protesters are reinforcing their barricades. Not far away, riot police stand in formation, shields raised.

Both sides are preparing for battle once more after Ukraine's three opposition leaders emerged from talks with the president without any deal.

'Long hours of conversations, long hours of conversations about nothing," Vitaly Klitschko, one of the leaders said while describing the meeting to the protesters gathered in Independence Square late Thursday night. "Now I understand that to sit down at the same table, with the man who has already decided to lie to you is pointless.'

Arseniy Yatseniuk, another opposition leader, told protesters to defend their territory.

'The decision has been made," he said. "We are announcing Hrushevskiy Street the territory of the protesters of Independence Square. Not a step back, I ask everyone," he said.

The opposition is demanding that the government resign and snap presidential elections held.

Minister of Justice Olena Lukash criticized their actions. She said that unfortunately for the second time the leaders of the opposition have declined from publicly denouncing the extremists' actions. They also do not condemn the capture of local administration buildings.
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Protesters are still occupying government buildings in several western cities in Ukraine after the protests spread beyond Kyiv Wednesday. The governor of Lviv was forced to sign a resignation letter. He says it was done under duress.

Opposition groups allege widespread police brutality - including the shooting dead of at least two protesters, and the torture of protesters in detention a charge security forces deny.

The accusations of police brutality have inflamed the protests against President Yanukovich, says Andy Gundar, director of the Ukrainian Institute in London.

"This is something that the people will not forgive him. And the line has been crossed. So I think it's going to be a very, very difficult next few days," he said.

The protesters are unlikely to back down, according to Orysia Lutsevych of London-based policy institute Chatham House.

"Clearly the protesters went out with the demand of the resignation of the government back two months ago. So I think this demand will have to stay in place and be met if they want civil peace and calm, and people back home from the squares,' she said. 'The problem in Ukraine is also the legislation. That is, they have to change the electoral code before they run any elections."

Both the government and the protesters are refusing to give any ground. Fears are growing of more bloodshed in the coming days.