| Author (Corporate) | BBC |
|---|---|
| Series Title | BBC News |
| Series Details | 21.02.14 |
| Publication Date | 21/02/2014 |
| Content Type | News |
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Reports and analysis of the crisis in Ukraine on the 21, 22 and 23 February 2014. Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych said on the 21 February 2014 that he had reached a deal with the opposition to end the crisis, after all-night talks mediated by three EU foreign ministers and Russian representatives. The agreement was announced at midday on the 21 February 2014. According to EUObserver it called 'for constitutional reforms, a coalition and national unity government, a law to restore the 2004 constitution, presidential elections by December 2014, an independent investigation into the violence, and a promise not to impose a state of emergency'. Euronews and other sources also reported that the Ukranian parliament had voted late on the night of the 20 February 2014 to withdraw its security forces and to ban them from using weapons. The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, issued the following statement: 'I welcome the agreement reached today by the President and the opposition leaders. This agreement opens the way for a political solution to the crisis in Ukraine. A democratic and peaceful solution is the only way forward. ... The EU is ready to lend full support to the implementation of the agreement, in close coordination with the Council of Europe, the Chairman in Office of the OSCE and other relevant partners'. RIA Novosti, BBC News and other sources reported on the 22 February 2014 of further dramatic developments. Some of the protesters on the streets of Kiev had refused to accept all the details of the Agreement on the Settlement of Crisis in Ukraine. Subsequently, opposition leaders in Ukraine signaled their intent to seek the early replacement of President Viktor Yanukovych and to demand elections in May 2014. RIA Novosti suggested that the government showed signs of total capitulation following the days of bloody protests. Euronews and other sources reported that President Viktor Yanukovich had fled to Kharkiv, near the Russian border. The Ukrainian Parliament voted to release ex-PM Yulia Tymoshenko. BBC News reported that Ukrainian MPs voted on the afternoon of the 22 February 2014 to oust President Viktor Yanukovych and hold early presidential elections on 25 May 2014. Mr Yanukovych described events as a 'coup' and vowed not to stand down. It was announced on the 23 February 2014 that EU High Representative Catherine Ashton would travel to Ukraine on the 24 February 2014. In Kiev she was expected to meet key stakeholders and discuss the support of the European Union for a lasting solution to the political crisis and measures to stabilise the economic situation. RIA Novosti reported on the 23 February 2014 that Oleksandr Turchynov, Ukraine’s newly appointed acting president reaffirmed his commitment to closer ties with Europe saying that Russia would have to 'acknowledge and respect' Kiev’s choice. 'The return to the European integration course, the rejection of which had sparked the uprising, is our priority. We must return into the family of European states'. [For background information on the EuroMaidan protests click on the ESO: Background Information hyperlink below 'Euromaidan - Protests in Ukraine 2013 - 2014 - Key source']. |
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| Source Link | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26284505 |
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| Countries / Regions | Europe, Russia, Ukraine |
