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Antonia Velikova,

Correspondent (Europe)

 

KIEV — The protesters’ strength in Ukraine seems to be unfaltering as they are still camping out on the streets of Kiev in their peaceful protest against the government’s decision of breaking ties with the EU.

On December 11, it was revealed that the Ukrainian government requested an EU grant worth €20 billion in order to sign an Association Agreement with the bloc. That information came through only hours after the said government had sent armed forces to disrupt and confront the peaceful protesters at the Euromaidan camp in Kiev.

Prime Minister Mykola Azarov announced that afternoon that a delegation would be sent to Brussels in order to calm down the rallying crowds on the Independence Square, who have been there for four weeks and counting now, despite sub-zero temperatures, snow, and heavy police presence. Ukrainians keep turning up, tens and hundreds of thousands, demanding a signing of the EU Association Agreement and Free Trade Agreement, as well as immediate impeachment of President Viktor Yanukovych.

Following hassles and shoving matches with the police in the morning of December 11, the protesters still managed to gain the upper hand. The special forces were ordered by Yanukovych himself to clear the square. With that action, the Ukrainian president showed obvious contempt towards European leaders, considering that the order was given while EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton was visiting the Euromaidan camp.

Barely a week after these events, Yanukovych struck a deal with Russian president Vladimir Putin, ascribing for a $15 billion aid package from Russia. While Yanukovych claimed that this deal would help Ukraine with its financial struggles, protesters furiously dubbed this action a “sell-out” to Moscow. According to Reuters, the country’s national debt can be estimated at around $60 billion.

Vladimir Putin tried to calm the protesting crowds, claiming that this action would have no impact on Ukraine’s future in the EU. However protesters are wary that the added bonus of reduced gas prices will further increase the possibility of Ukraine joining the Russian-dominated Customs Union. One of the Euromaidan protests’ goals is for Ukraine to break completely free from Russia’s orbit and to develop integration plans with the European Union. It is believed that in return for a package of loans and trade concessions, Yanukovych has agreed not to sign the EU deal. Therefore, the centre of Kiev remains barricaded. On Tuesday morning hundreds of protesters stood in Yanukovych’s way to the airport, holding signs saying “Turn the plane back to Europe!” The president called the signing of the documents a “strategic decision” without elaborating on his statement.

The Euromaidan protest continues receiving support from other countries and organisations. In relation to the 11 December police struggles, US Secretary of State John Kerry expressed “disgust” at the decision to “meet peaceful protesters with riot police, bulldozers, and batons, rather than with respect for democratic rights and human dignity.” There has been more support from the US – Republican senator John McCain addressed the crowds the Independence Square on 15 December, encouraging the protesting crowds to continue their peaceful protest in support of greater ties with the European Union. The former presidential candidate told protesters that Ukraine’s destiny lies in Europe and that the US supports their cause. In addition to that, Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop advised Ukrainian authorities “to listen to the voices and aspirations of the Ukrainian people.” Last week representatives of the Bulgarian protest network also went on to speak from the Independence Square tribune, announcing their “complete and utter support of [their] Ukrainian brothers”. Euromaidan protests are also backed up by UK foreign secretary William Hague. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Hague said: “It is inspiring to see these people standing up for their vision of the future of Ukraine: a free, sovereign, democratic country with much closer ties to the European Union and a positive relationship of mutual respect with Russia. This is a vision I share.”

News from the Ukrainian protests can be followed on Twitter under the hashtag .

See also: Ukraine: Torn between the West and the East

Image Courtesy: By DDima (Based off map by DDima.) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

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Antonia Velikova

Antonia Velikova

Antonia Velikova is an undergraduate Media, Communication and Cultural Studies student in Newcastle University. Currently lives in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, originally born in Bulgaria. She is a contributor to the News (Europe) section of The Global Panorama. Her interests are mainly newsgathering and news reporting, although she dabbles in writing reviews and comment columns for her university's newspaper.