Ukraine protests: Opposition holds first new year rally

BBC News and other news sources reported that several thousand people rallied on the 5 January 2014 in the centre of the Ukrainian capital in the first anti-government protest of the new year.

The protesters opposed President Viktor Yanukovych's policy of strengthening ties with Russia rather than the EU.

They began a series of rallies in November 2013 calling for his resignation.

ESO: Background information: EU battle for Ukraine ends in truncheons and tear gas http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-battle-for-ukraine-ends-in-truncheons-and-tear-gas/

RIA Novosti, 05.01.14: Ukrainians Gather for First New Year Rally in Kiev http://en.ria.ru/world/20140105/186265023/Ukrainians-Gather-for-First-New-Year-Rally-in-Kiev.html

RIA Novosti: Tag: Pro-EU Protests Erupt in Ukraine http://en.ria.ru/trend/Pro_EU_Protests_Erupt_in_Ukraine_november_2013/

Kyiv Post: Tag: EuroMaidan http://www.kyivpost.com/hot/euromaidan/

Deutsche Welle, 05.01.14: Thousands of Ukrainians express their displeasure with the president http://dw.de/p/1Alb0

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