Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Ukraine protests: US steps up search for agreement at Munich Security Conference

US Secretary of State, John Kerry, says 'fight for democratic European future' embodied in Ukrainian protest movement

Oscar Williams
Sunday 02 February 2014 01:00 GMT
Comments
Ukrainian politician Petro Poroshenko (left) with John Kerry yesterday
Ukrainian politician Petro Poroshenko (left) with John Kerry yesterday

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Far from Kiev, where protesters and government troops remain in a tense and bloody stand-off, the future of Ukraine sparked bitter exchanges between EU, US and Russian leaders yesterday.

The Munich Security Conference, established to promote "peaceful conflict resolution and international cooperation", was the stage for talks over the future of Ukraine – which has been in turmoil since November, when the country's leaders scrapped an EU accord in favour of a £9bn Russian bailout.

Amid claims from Russia that Western countries were "encouraging" violent protests, European Council president Herman Van Rompuy said the "future of Ukraine belongs with the EU".

Ukraine's public protests began peacefully but demonstrations took a more radical turn when authorities passed a harsh anti-protest law clamping down on rights of assembly and movement. More than six people are now reported to have died and hundreds have been injured in clashes between protesters and police.

The US Secretary of State, John Kerry, who was yesterday due to meet key Ukrainian opposition figures, has said the "fight for a democratic European future" is embodied in the Ukrainian protest movement. He added: "The aspirations of citizens are once again being trampled beneath corrupt, oligarchic interests – interests that use money to stifle political opposition and dissent, to buy politicians and media outlets, and to weaken judicial independence."

Among those due to meet Mr Kerry were Arseniy Yatsenyuk, leader of the party of jailed former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, and the former boxer Vitali Klitschko, who leads the Udar (Punch) party. The Russian foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, asked: "Why are many prominent European politicians actually encouraging such actions, although back home they are quick to severely punish any violations of the law?"

Ukraine's president, Viktor Yanukovych, attempted to appease protesters with an amnesty on Friday. The deal was rejected by activists over clauses that would have obligated them to leave municipal buildings and clear the protest camp paralysing Kiev's city centre.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in