'No decision on key demands' at round table discussions in Kyiv
- 10 years ago
Ukraine’s president, Viktor Yanukovych has met the opposition for the first round table discussions since the start of mass demonstrations in Kyiv.
Religious leaders, former presidents and student activists were also present at the round table discussions.
However, as protests on the streets of the capital continue, no concrete solutions have been reached to put an end to the turmoil.
Many demonstrators are calling for the government to resign. During the talks, Yanukovych said some heads would roll, but only alluded to those responsible for preparing the Association Agreement with the EU.
“We will start an investigation on how the Association Agreement was prepared here,” said the Ukrainian President. “Those responsible will be disbarred at the very least, and later, may even be fired.”
Yanukovych left the talks without speaking to the press. He is due to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia on December 17.
Opposition leader Vytaliy Klychko spoke of his dissatisfaction with the discussions.
“I’m not satisfied with today’s talks,” he said. “There was no decision on any of our key demands. I’m sure that people should join the protests and we should press the government to meet our demands. The government should listen to its people.”
Klychko has called for a new, even larger demonstration to take place on Sunday.
Euronews’ correspondent in Kyiv, Angelina Kariakina, told us:
“The round table called to start crisis talks between the Ukrainian government and the opposition left contradicting impressions. Ukraine’s President suggested a moratorium on violence. The opposition doesn’t believe the government’s promises and states: Maidan hasn’t been heard.”
Religious leaders, former presidents and student activists were also present at the round table discussions.
However, as protests on the streets of the capital continue, no concrete solutions have been reached to put an end to the turmoil.
Many demonstrators are calling for the government to resign. During the talks, Yanukovych said some heads would roll, but only alluded to those responsible for preparing the Association Agreement with the EU.
“We will start an investigation on how the Association Agreement was prepared here,” said the Ukrainian President. “Those responsible will be disbarred at the very least, and later, may even be fired.”
Yanukovych left the talks without speaking to the press. He is due to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia on December 17.
Opposition leader Vytaliy Klychko spoke of his dissatisfaction with the discussions.
“I’m not satisfied with today’s talks,” he said. “There was no decision on any of our key demands. I’m sure that people should join the protests and we should press the government to meet our demands. The government should listen to its people.”
Klychko has called for a new, even larger demonstration to take place on Sunday.
Euronews’ correspondent in Kyiv, Angelina Kariakina, told us:
“The round table called to start crisis talks between the Ukrainian government and the opposition left contradicting impressions. Ukraine’s President suggested a moratorium on violence. The opposition doesn’t believe the government’s promises and states: Maidan hasn’t been heard.”