On the 9th anniversary of 2004 Orange Revolution in Ukraine
thousands of Ukrainians across the country have gathered in order to protests
against the Thursday’s decision of the state’s government to suspend all the
activities in the process of EU integration of Ukraine.
On Thursday 21 November, a few days ahead of the Summit of Eastern
European Partnership to be held in Vilnius, where Ukraine was expected to sign
Association Agreement with the countries of EU, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola
Azarov has declared the official statement of Ukrainian government to suspend
the process of preparation to the signing of the Agreement of free trade and
political cooperation between Ukraine and EU.
This decision provoked deep criticism among Ukrainian oppositional politicians
and EU parliamentarians. Aleksander Kwaśniewski and Pat Cox, the heads of the
EU monitoring mission to Ukraine, have stated on Thursday that their mission is
officially ended and that the Agreement won’t be signed. “It’s the decision of
Ukrainian government, not EU”, said Mr. Kwaśniewski, adding that EU politicians
are strongly disappointed with this turn in Ukrainian politics.
This decision was taken by Ukrainian government after several visits of
Ukrainian leaders to Russia and under strong pressure of Ukrainian Northern neighbor
on Ukrainian government.
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Ukrainians protesting in Kyiv (Image: TSN) |
Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers has proposed to form a special commission
and to start trilateral negotiations between Ukraine, EU and Russia in order to
resolve this crisis. EU though has denied this proposition.
On Thursday’s night 21 November the Facebook campaign started by the
prominent Ukrainian journalist Mustafa Nayem and Ukrainian activists has
gathered nearly three and half thousand protesters in Kyiv on the iconic
Independence Square. Demonstrators have been protesting against this decision
of Ukrainian government claiming this government doesn’t represent them and
their political will and aspirations. The demonstration lasted all night long
despite the rain and cold weather with more and more protesters arriving from
Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities as well.
It’s worth mentioning that Ukrainian joint opposition has called on all
the active Ukrainian citizens and supporters of EU integration to gather on
Sunday, 24 November, to protests and to express the will of Ukrainian people.
The people’s campaign has started a few days ahead of the marches planned by
the oppositional forces.
Kyiv, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lutsk and many other Ukrainian cities have
joined the protests organizing their own “Euro-Maidan” in their cities
referring to Kyiv Independence Square being called Maidan among Ukrainians.
Protests in support of EU integration have started even in Lugansk and Donetsk,
Easter Ukrainian cities which are traditionally pro-Yanukovich and pro-Russian.
Lviv, Western Ukrainian city, has witnessed nearly two thousand of
people demonstration in support of European integration and against the
criminal acts of Ukrainian government. The numbers of protesters are also
increasing in other Ukrainian cities as well.
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Ukrainians starting to gather for protests in Lviv (Image: Radio Svoboda) |
Kyiv activists have stated the tents will be set on the Square and the
sit-in was declared. The marches of Ukrainians started on 21 November has also
marked the 9th anniversary of Ukrainian Orange Revolution held in
2004 when tens of thousands of Ukrainians have been protesting during several
months against the electoral fraud which has brought Victor Yanukovich,
Ukrainian current President, to power. The moods and aspirations of that Revolution
are remembered by today’s protesters too.
Meanwhile the Friday morning session of Ukrainian Parliament which still
could possible bring some positive changes was closed without any result and
without voting for the draft laws enabling medical treatment of the prisoners
abroad, the decision which could help to solve issue of Yulia Tymoshenko.
The protests are ongoing with people ready to stand until their message
will be heard. Protests are peaceful, with no violations and breaking the law
reported by the Ministry of Interior.
Security Forces in their turn have blocked the roads leading to the
Administration of Ukrainian President.
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