Ukrainian Central Electoral Commission has ended registration of candidates, presidential campaign officially started

Ukrainian Central Electoral Commission building
(Image: Radio Svoboda)

The official term for applying for the presidential elections to be held on 25 May 2014 in Ukraine was closed on 30 March 2014, giving the potential candidates the time to submit their applications, all required documents and caution money in amount of 2,5 million UAH as well. Ukrainian Central Electoral Commission has reviewed all the submitted applications and approved the final list of the candidates on Thursday, 3 April.

Thus, CEC has registered 23 candidates to run for the presidential seat on 25 May. All of these candidates have undergone procedure of registration during the meeting of the CEC.

Ukrainian protests continue. Temporarily ceasefire was reached during the talks between Yanukovich and opposition

Maidan (Independence Square) in the morning of Thursday,
after night's attack
(Image: DPA)

Confrontations between Ukrainian protesters and activists of Euromaidan and “Berkut” and security forces are ongoing in Kyiv and in other Ukrainian cities as well, as opposition and Yanukovich have failed to reach an agreement during the Tuesday’s negotiations.

Ministry of Health reported about at least 30 killed people, though the eyewitnesses and doctors working on the ground and in the hospitals claim there are more casualties and thousands of wounded, most of them with the wounds caused by live ammunition and bombs.

Ukrainian protesters prepare for the decisive Tuesday’s Parliamentary session as opposition has met with Angela Merkel

Euromaidan anti-government protests in Kyiv
(Image: Kyiv Post)

Ukrainian activists and protesters are preparing for the Tuesday’s massive march to the building of Parliament, where the decisive session is expected to be held. Oppositional MPs demand voting for the Constitutional reform in order to amend the current national Charter and to return to the 2004 Constitution, limiting powers of President and establishing parliamentary-presidential form of governance instead of the presidential one, what allowed Yanukovich to build a strong vertical of power working for his interests and oppressing freedoms and rights of Ukrainians.

Ukrainian Parliament cancelled dictatorial laws. Cabinet of Ministers resigned

MPs of Ukrainian Parliament, commemorating the victims of the
clashes. Beginning of the session
(Image: Radio Svoboda)

After four rounds of negotiations held between Ukrainian oppositional leaders and Yanukovich and amid deepening political crisis in the country and confrontations between the protesters and security forces and seizing of power by the revolutionaries in several regions of Ukraine, Ukrainian Parliament have gathered for the urgent session on Tuesday, 28 January. This parliamentary session was expected to be a decisive one, as parliamentarians had to discuss the current situation in the country in order to find the solution. In addition to that there were fears about voting for imposing state of emergency in Ukraine.

Ukraine: The revolution continues

Lines of barricades and burning tires in Kyiv
(Image: TVI)

Revolution in Ukraine continues, as tens of thousands of protesters remain permanently in Independence Square and Grushevsky Street in Kyiv and Ukrainians all over Ukraine continue to seize the regional offices and governmental buildings forming National Councils and declaring people’s authority in the regions.

In Kyiv protesters have taken Ukrainian House, located on European Square, close to the site of confrontation. There were reports about special security forces (“Berkut”) located in the building and preparing for the dispersal. The clashes lasted several hours, when oppositional leader Vitaly Klichko and some other oppositional politicians arrived in the Ukrainian House and have held negotiations with the Special Forces. As a result of these talks the corridor was formed, and the policemen were able to leave the building. Ukrainian House is under protesters’ control at the moment, as people are cleaning the building.

Revolutionary Ukraine: Confrontations continue amid the third round of negotiations between Yanukovich and opposition

Protesters on the barricades
(Image: Den')

Situation in Ukraine remains tense as confrontations continue between protesters and security forces and riot police in Kyiv downtown. The day was relatively calm, though the sound and smoke bombs and fireworks have been thrown from time to time by the both sides. The situation escalated in the late evening, as the reports appeared that government possible prepares for the force dispersal of Maidan and all the protests’ sites, and soldiers of special security forces “Berkut” are stationed in the building of Ukrainian House, located on European Square, right in the rear of protesters. Protestors are currently storming the building, the entrances are blocked by the barricades, confrontation continues, and the situation is tense.

Ukraine: Second round of the talks between opposition and Yanukovich was held amid clashes and continuation of violence

Protesters and riot police in Kyiv
(Image: Reuters)

Confrontations continue in Ukraine, as the clashes between protesters on Euromaidan and riot police happened during the night. Situation remains extremely tense and needs to be resolved in a peaceful way, state activists, representatives of artists, priests and intellectuals and oppositional leaders.

According to the information of Ministry of Health nearly 160 people have been injured, 2 people were killed, but the doctors working on the field report that only in 22 January there were several hundreds of injured, a lot of them don’t go to the hospitals due to the fears of being detained by the police, as police and special security forces “Berkut” were trying to attack several hospitals in the night attempting to arrest injured protesters. 5 people were killed on 22 January, four of them were killed with the live ammunition, the fifth one was found dead in the forest with the marks of tortures on his body. It was one of the activists kidnapped one day earlier.

Ukraine: Negotiations with Yanukovich didn’t have results; Maidan formed National Council instead of Parliament

Riot police Berkut beating and dragging protesters
(Image: Radio Svoboda)

As violent clashes continue in Ukrainian capital and security forces attacking and trying to disperse protesters, Yanukovich has agreed to meet with oppositional leaders for the talks in order to findb the solution of the deepening crisis.

Arseny Yatsenyuk, Vitaly Klichko and Oleg Tyagnybok, oppositional leaders, have arrived to the Presidential Administration where they met Yanukovich and his team (Andriy Klyuev, Olena Lukash and Andriy Portnov). Negotiations lasted for more than three hours, as deadly clashes didn’t stop in Grushevsky Street in Kyiv downtown, close to Independence Square.

Clashes in Ukrainian capital continue as negotiations are in a deadlock and dictatorial laws put in effect

Clashes in Kyiv capital
(Image: Radio Svoboda)

Situation in Ukrainian capital remains extremely tense and escalates with every hour as “president” Yanukovich failed to appear for the talks between his “government” and representatives of the oppositional forces, and riot police and security forces are still in the streets.

Violent clashes erupted between protesters and police and security forces blocking the governmental district and Grushevsky Street leading to the key governmental building and preventing the peaceful protesters to walk. Radical ultra-right activists united in the Right Sector have started to clash with security forces as tens of thousands of protesters joined them. First clashes erupted on Sunday, 19 January, when birdshots, teargas, sound and smoke bombs and water cannons have been used by riot police and security forces against the demonstrators while the protesters have been throwing rocks, stones, fireworks and Molotov cocktails. Clashes continued till Tuesday, 21 January. Hundreds of protesters have been injured, a lot of them with the injuries of eyes, heads and limbs, while Ministry of Interior reports that at least 160 security personnel have been wounded in the clashes.

Ukraine: Situation escalates as the clashes continue for the second day

Violent clashes continue in Ukrainian capital for the second day
(Image: Radio Svoboda)

Fierce clashes between Ukrainian anti-government protesters and security forces are ongoing for the second day, as protesters have build improvised barricades between their lines and the lines of “Berkut” (Ukrainian special security forces) and riot police. Stones and rocks are being thrown by the protesters to the side of security forces, as soldiers and policemen fire teargas, throw sound and smoke bombs and shoot birdshots on the protesters. Early in the morning of Monday, 20 January, riot police has used water cannons in order to disperse the crowds, despite the fact that it is 12 degree sub zero currently in Ukraine. Central Grushevsky Street, leading to the governmental district and blocked by security forces cordons and the square in front of Dynamo Stadium look like a real battlefield now.

Ukraine: Violent clashes erupted in Kyiv on the day of the People’s Council

Violent clashes erupted in Kyiv during anti-government
protests
(Image: AP)

Ukrainian opposition called for the new demonstrations to be held in Kyiv on Sunday, 19 January, after Mr. Yanukovich has signed the scandalous laws restricting basic personal and civil rights and freedoms of Ukrainian approved recently by the Parliament. Hundreds of thousands of citizens from all over Ukraine have gathered for the eighth People’s Council in Independence Square in Kyiv known as Maidan.

People have been waiting for the decisive steps and detailed plan imposed by Ukrainian oppositional leaders in order to fight the current regime and its attempts to usurp all the power in the country and to impose dictatorship in Ukraine. Although the oppositional leaders have just delivered several usual speeches calling for the necessity of changing the regime and political system, but there was no plan and no decision. This move has disappointed protesters, and after people have asked Arseny Yatsenyuk to name a single leader of the protest and resistant movement, Mr. Yatsenyuk declared that “The leaders of the resistant movement are Ukrainian people”.

Ukraine: draft law about early presidential elections was registered in Parliament. Euromaidan is considering new tactics

Ukrainian massive anti-government and pro-EU protests
(Image: Lenta UA)

MP of Ukrainian Parliament Oleksander Brygynets, representative of the oppositional Batkivshchyna (Homeland) Party, has submitted to the Parliament draft law about early presidential elections. This draft was registered by Ukrainian Parliament and should be discussed by the MPs.

According to the text of the draft presidential elections should be held not later than 30 March 2014, according to the Constitution, and not in 2015, as it was decided due to the amendments to Constitution made by Yanukovich.

Ukrainian opposition plans to form united pro-Ukrainian and pro-European team, as Vitaly Klichko calls for a single oppositional presidential candidate

Euromaidan: Ukrainian anti-government protests
(Image: Liga NET)

Ukrainian oppositional forces work currently on forming the team to fight for democratic changes in Ukraine and to participate in the upcoming 2015 presidential elections, according to the statement made on Tuesday, 7 January, by one of the oppositional leaders, Arseny Yatsenyuk, while he delivered his speech on Kyiv Euromaidan.

Some political experts criticized opposition for the pause it took and lack of strong decisions taken during the latest time, though some other specialists are sure this pause is important in order not to divide participants of Euromaidan, Ukrainian anti-governmental protests. Citizens of Ukraine and demonstrators have a chance now to form their proposals and ideas regarding the steps to change political situation in the country.

Ukraine: Euromaidan declares its manifest with demands amid massive anti-government’s protests

Massive anti-government rallies continue in Ukraine
(Image: AP)

Ukrainian citizens continue massive anti-government protests demanding resignation of the current government and steeping down of Victor Yanukovich as President and fighting for the total change of the political system in Ukraine.

Ukrainian opposition has called for the fresh million-man march, the so called People’s Council, to be held on Sunday, 29 December, in Kyiv Independence Square. Hundreds of thousands of protesters have gathered at 12 p.m. in Independence Square for the march under the motto “Solidarity against terror”. Protesters have voiced their main demands and messages to the current authorities and approved the new manifest issued by the Council of the recently formed National Alliance “Maidan” united political powers and groups and civic activists and intellectuals.

Ukraine: Opposition calls for massive rallies on Sunday with the auto-rally to the residences of high officials

Massive anti-government protests in Ukraine
(Image: Wikipedia)

Ukrainian oppositional leaders Arseny Yatsenyuk, Oleh Tyagnybok and Vitaly Klichko are calling for the fresh consecutive million-man march to be held on Sunday, 29 December, in Kyiv’s Independence Square and in other Ukrainian cities as well.

Traditional Sunday’s rally of Ukrainian in Independence Square will be held this time under the motto “Solidarity against terror” and will express the key demands of Ukrainian anti-government protesters and show solidarity with the victims of recent attacks.

Ukrainian President met with Russian colleague in Moscow. Opposition demands the results of talks to be published

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President
Victor Yanukovich during the Moscow meeting
(Image: Korrespondent)

Ukrainian current President Victor Yanukovich arrived in Moscow on Tuesday, 17 December, for participation in the early planned meetings to be held during 17-18 December. Victor Yanukovich has met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in order to discuss some aspects of cooperation and strategic partnership, according to the press service of Russian President.

During the Tuesday’s meeting 14 documents and agreements have been signed by Victor Yanukovich and Vladimir Putin. The talks have been closed, and there were no journalists invited to cover them.

Ukrainian President refused to talk to reporters and journalists after the official meeting, but Vladimir Putin made several statements regarding the meeting. Commenting on the results of the recent meeting Vladimir Putin was talking mostly about benefits Ukraine will get, such as increase of export of Ukrainian production to Russia and countries members of Custom Union, creating of new working places and saving the existing ones etc. Mr. Putin didn’t talk though about Russian benefits.

Ukraine: Vitaly Klichko demands to hold early presidential elections while opposition gathers signatures for non-confidence motion of the government

Vitaly Klichko, Ukrainian oppositional
leader
(Image: Wikipedia)

One of the leaders of Ukrainian opposition, Vitaly Klichko, stated on Tuesday, 17 December, that the only one possible political solution of the current deepening crisis in Ukraine is holding early presidential and parliamentary elections. He made this statement after closure of today’s Parliament’s session.

Vitaly Klichko demands early presidential elections to be held in March 2014. He is also confident, that it’s impossible to resolve any questions on the agenda until the main issue will be resolved – early elections.

Ukrainian current President Victor Yanukovich claimed during the recent round table, that he is ready for the early elections and there is nothing to fear, so let him prove it, stated Vitaly Klichko. Opposition though still doesn’t have a joint candidate for the possible presidential elections.

Meanwhile opposition continues its work regarding non-confidence motion of Ukrainian government. As an attempt to vote for this decision in Parliament at the beginning of December failed, opposition is gathering the signatures of parliamentarians for non-confidence and resignation of Mykola Azarov and current government.

Ukrainian opposition and public activists will form Transitional government. Opposition calls for the massive nationwide Sunday protests

Ukrainian anti-government and pro-European protests
(Image: AFP)

Ukrainian opposition and public activists and representatives of the protesters of Maidan have met on Friday, 6 December, on the press-conference and discussed their roadmap and the further steps.

Ukrainian activists, artists, journalists, intellectuals and prominent persons have signed a joint petition to Ukrainian opposition voicing the demands of the people protesting on Independence Square and all over Ukraine and containing propositions to the opposition regarding the next steps.

Ukraine: massive protests ongoing while the crisis is deepening with the power and opposition unable to find compromise

Huge protets on Kyiv Independent Square
(Image: Liga NET)

Situation on Ukraine where the massive anti-government protests sparked after failure of Vilnius Summit and signing of the Association Agreement with EU and violent dispersal of peaceful demonstrators on Independence Square in Kyiv. Tens of thousands are protesting in Kyiv and blocking the key administrative buildings such as Cabinet of Ministers, Parliament, Kyiv City Council, Ministry of Interior, and Ministry of Education. Huge demonstrations continue in other cities all over the country as well.

After Tuesday’s failure of Ukrainian opposition to vote for the non-confidence motion to the government and for the resignation of Prime Minister Mykola Azarov and his Cabinet of Ministers in Parliament the protests didn’t reduce with more people gathering in the capital for the protests and many arriving to Kyiv from other regions of Ukraine.

Ukrainian Parliament failed to vote for government’s resignation amid the continuous massive protests all over Ukraine

Massive anti-government rallies in Kyiv
(Image: INews)

Tens of thousands of protesters have gathered since the morning on Tuesday in front of the building of Ukrainian Parliament as the Parliament was expected to discuss the non-confidence motion to the government and its resignation initiated recently by the oppositional forces.

People have filled all the area in front of the Parliament, though the situation is tense with the alternative meeting of Yanukovich’s and government’s supporters gathered in front of the Parliament as well. There were reportedly nearly 150 people among the supporters of the current authorities; they were cordoned by the police forces in order to avoid their mixing with the anti-governmental protests. Additional security forces have been deployed on the scene with the entrances to the building blocked and lines of riot police and special forces “Berkut” and standing in front of the protesters.