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| Massive pro-EU rallies in Kyiv (Image: Liga News) |
Nationwide demonstrations in support of European integration’s path of
Ukraine are ongoing all over Ukraine with the unprecedented numbers of
demonstrators gathered in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities as well.
After three days and nights of protests Ukrainians has gathered for the
massive rally planned by Ukrainian joint oppositional forces in attempt to
express their political will and their disapproval of the official policies of
Ukrainian government and President regarding the international relations of
Ukraine and signing of the Association Agreement with the EU countries.
On Thursday, 21 November, several thousands of people have gathered in
Kyiv downtown, on the iconic Independence Square, to protests the decision of
the government to suspend the preparation to the signing of the Association
Agreement with the countries members of EU expected to be signed on Summit in
Vilnius on 28-29 November. The people’s initiative started from the totally
spontaneous Facebook and Twitter campaign resulted in the massive
demonstrations being held in Kyiv and in other Ukrainian cities as well.
Demonstrations called “Euromaidan” and supporting European political course of
Ukraine were held also worldwide.
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| Ukrainians demonstration in support of EU integration (Image: Segodnya UA) |
Sunday, 24 November, was marked with the massive demonstrations being
held in Kyiv and across the country as well. Demonstrators in Kyiv have started
their march from the Taras Shevchenko Park in front of the National University
and started to move towards European Square, the key location of the planned
marches. The column of demonstrators was that huge that it took all Khreschatyk
Street (main street of Kyiv), Independence Square and European Square as well,
locating also on the slopes of Maryynsky Park and taking part of the Hrushevsky
Street, the street where Cabinet of Ministers and Parliament are located.
More than 100 thousand people have gathered on Sunday in downtown Kyiv
with tens of thousands protesting in other cities as well. Thus, there are more
than 22 thousand demonstrators in Lviv.
Hundreds of people of strange outfit have arrived in Kyiv on the buses
and have gathered in front of the Presidential Administration. These people
were moving in the organized columns towards the European Square where the EU
supporters have gathered. These people behaved aggressive and refused to
communicated with the journalists and explain who they are and what are they
doing here. It appeared later that these people arrived to make provocations
and cause the clashes between the demonstrators and security forces.
As the columns of EU integration supporters have started to move towards
Cabinet of Ministers building, these people deployed with the buses were
playing the role of the human shield blocking the way to the governmental
building and trying to clash with the demonstrators. Police and security forces
have cordoned the perimeter around the building of Cabinet of Ministers, where
the marches turned into clashes with police firing tear gas in attempt to
disperse the crowds while the people attempted to storm the building.
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| Pro-European march in Kyiv (Image: Segodnya UA) |
The column led by the oppositional leaders Arseny Yatsenyuk, Vitaly
Klichko and Oleg Tyagnybok has moved towards the building of Parliament in
order to support people.
The clashes were stopped as the demonstrators didn’t react on the
provocations. The buildings of the Cabinet of Ministers and of Parliament are
surrounded by the security forces and demonstrators singing anthem of Ukraine
and Ukrainian songs. In the evening the atmosphere there was calm and friendly
despite the police cordons.
Massive protests are ongoing now with many political leaders, activists,
artists, intellectuals delivering their speeches and calling for Ukrainians to
stand for their choice and for their future. People are chanting for European
future of Ukraine stating Ukrainian people have chosen the direction of the
further development of their country and this direction is European path with
democratic values and standards of life. Protesters have been also chanting to
support imprisoned ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko demanding her release.
Among the slogans and motto of Euromaidan were the chants against current
President Victor Yanukovich and the current government as well and the demands
for resignation of the Cabinet of Ministers and impeachment of President.
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| Security forces firing tear gas during storming of Cabinet of Ministers building (Image: BBC) |
Many artists and singers have performed on the stage of Euromaidan, and
the atmosphere there is very friendly and warm despite the rainy weather and
heavy fogs.
The nationwide protest action was officially declared being unlimited.
Protesters declare they will demonstrate until their demands will be met and
Yanukovich will finally sign Association Agreement in Vilnius. The tents have
been erected on the European Square and in front of the building of the Cabinet
of Ministers as well.
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| Tents erected on the European Square (Image: Radio Svoboda) |
Meanwhile security forces and riot police have made two serious attempts
to disperse the demonstrations on the Independence and European Squares, but
the protesters have protected their cites and remain in the squares calling for
other people to come and joint them for the sake of the future of Ukrainians.
Ukrainian government has issued a short statement claiming this decision
was the only one possible under the current circumstances and the wise one.
Ukrainian President Victor Yanukovich hasn’t’ appeared in public since the
beginning of the protests and didn’t comment the situation in the country.
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