13:40
15.12.2013
Our Ukrainian Service is carrying a live feed from the pro-government rally. Most demonstraters speak of a fear of "instability" that would come from pulling away from Russia. Almost everyone interviewed speaks in Russian.
12:58
15.12.2013
Yevhenia Tymoshenko, the daughter of jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, met with John McCain this morning, according to a release posted on Tymoshenko's official site. The two discussed possible sanctions against those "involved in the politically motivated prosecution and imprisonment of Yulia Tymoshenko," according to the statement.
12:51
15.12.2013
McCain is expected to speak at 1:30 Kyiv time.
12:49
15.12.2013
According to our Ukrainian Service, between 150,000 and 200,000 antigovernment protesters have gathered so far.
12:17
15.12.2013
12:07
15.12.2013
Ukrainian First Deputy Prime Minister Abruzov said Kyiv would "soon sign" an Association Agreement during a trip to Brussels on December 13. Some have questioned the sincerity of the statement, given the government's previous U-turn on the deal, and now it appears the EU is putting negotiations on hold.
Fule, the EU commissioner for enlargement, has signaled a willingness to deliver more aid if Kyiv agrees to a deal.
Fule, the EU commissioner for enlargement, has signaled a willingness to deliver more aid if Kyiv agrees to a deal.
11:56
15.12.2013
Perhaps the largest nighttime crowds came out yesterday, despite the bitter cold, just in time for McCain to snap this shot. Protesters shine lights with their mobile phones.
11:54
15.12.2013
Yanukovych will fly to Moscow on Sunday for his fifth meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the last six weeks. The Ukrainian president has adamantly denied that he is working on a deal to join a Russian-led Customs Union that would preclude Ukraine from signing an EU Association Agreement. Opposition leaders, however, have warned that he is preparing to do just that.
Here's Arseniy Yatsenyuk, leader of the Batkvyschyna (Fatherland) party yesterday:
"Our Russian neighbors are trying to fulfill a scenario which should result in Ukraine becoming a member of the (Russian-led) Customs Union, without even signing a treaty about Ukraine's accession into the Customs Union, and the way to this scenario lies through bloodshed in Kyiv. And this blood is on the suit of the Ukrainian president."
Here's Arseniy Yatsenyuk, leader of the Batkvyschyna (Fatherland) party yesterday:
"Our Russian neighbors are trying to fulfill a scenario which should result in Ukraine becoming a member of the (Russian-led) Customs Union, without even signing a treaty about Ukraine's accession into the Customs Union, and the way to this scenario lies through bloodshed in Kyiv. And this blood is on the suit of the Ukrainian president."