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Deaths in Ukraine: the European Union moves?

Majdan Square Wednesday, January 22. (Credit: Ukrstream.tv)
Majdan Square, January 22. (Credit: Ukrstream.tv)

(BRUSSELS2) Will the European Union act in favor of pro-European demonstrators in Ukraine. While we learned of the death of several demonstrators, killed by bullets during the night of Wednesday (January 22) in Ukraine in Kiev following the assault by anti-riot forces - the "Berkout" - and troops from the Ministry of 'Interior!

A conviction unanimous

The High Representative of the European Union (EU), Catherine Ashton was the first a « condemned the violent escalation of events in Kyiv in a press release published at 12 p.m. in English, this Wednesday (January 22).  “All acts of violence must immediately cease and be promptly investigated. (…) Those responsible will have to be held to account”. Calling on the government and the opposition to initiate a "real dialogue" at the highest level, the High Representative has taken a stand for " the aspirations of the Ukrainian people ". The President of the European Commission, José-Manuel Barroso, who presented the "climate" package (one of the last pieces of his legislature), said he was “really worried about these developments in Ukraine” and " reflect on possible EU actions and consequences on our relations with the country. The word sanctions was not uttered.

Europeans move 

The Commissioner for Enlargement, Stefan Füle, is due to go to Ukraine on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 to " discuss recent developments in the country » announced his spokesperson. “There he will meet representatives of the authorities and the opposition, as well as representatives of civil society. ". This was before the announcement of the final results of the day (5 dead and 300 injured).

(UPDATE Thursday January 23, 13 p.m.) A visit by the High Representative, Catherine Ashton to Kiev, could also be envisaged after the EU-Russia summit, scheduled for January 28, B2 has learned. As for José Manuel Barroso, he had a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President V. Yanukovych on Thursday. “There is no state of emergency planned in Ukraine” the Ukrainian president assured him. For the moment, on the European side, we are not aiming "not precise measures but (...) a political call ».  “Everything else is just a possibility if the violence is not contained in Ukraine” adds the Commission spokesperson during the daily press briefing.

Here , watch live the events in Majdan Square in Kiev, broadcast by Ukrstream.tv (streaming video of Ukrainian protesters).

Loreline Merelle

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