Protesters prepare for more confrontation
Some degree of calm has returned to Ukraine following massive police intervention against anti-government protesters in Kyiv. However, fearing renewed police actions, demonstrators have reinforced their barricades.
High barricades
The mass anti-government protests have been going on for about three weeks. Early Wednesday morning (11.12.2013) special police forces moved against the protest camp on Independence Square in Kyiv, the center of the protests, but later retreated. They destroyed some of the barricades erected by protesters.
The front lines harden
To guard against a possible further eviction attempt, protesters repaired and reinforced the barriers. After the police attempt to clear the square, political opponents have become implacable foes. Opposition politicians, including Vitali Klitschko, rejected President Viktor Yanukovych's offer of talks.
'A horrible night'
Klitschko wrote in a German newspaper about the violence: "It was a horrible night for all the demonstrators, even for me. The security forces destroyed tents, tried to disperse protesters with truncheons, destroyed our peaceful protests."
International condemnation
Some countries, including the United States, have criticized the brutal way the Ukrainian security forces have dealt with the pro-European protesters. The European Parliament demanded the release of all detained activists. Yanukovych promised there would be no repetition of the violence against opponents of the government.
Spending the night in the tent city
The protesters did not let themselves be discouraged, or driven out: On Independence Square, they erected a tent city, despite the freezing temperatures. On Wednesday night (11.12.2013) more than 5,000 people spent the night here. They even built small shelters behind their barricades.
In the foot steps of the Orange Revolution
From all over the country, more and more people have been coming to Kyiv to join the demonstrations. Vitali Klitschko has said their number could surpass that of the Orange Revolution nine years ago when people took to the streets to protest against electoral fraud. Klitschko says he expects "millions of people on the street in the next few days - more than ever before."
Russia or the European Union?
The protests were ignited by the refusal of President Viktor Yanukovych (left) to sign an association agreement with the EU - probably at the insistence of Russia's President Vladimir Putin (right), who wants to win Ukraine for a Russian-led customs union. Now, Yanukovych has signaled that he still intends to sign the agreement. Previously, he linked this to billions in aid from the EU.
The power struggle goes on
The European Parliament plans to lend stronger support to government opponents by sending a delegation to Kyiv. EU countries may also consider sanctions, such as travel restrictions for those responsible for the violence. EU members should be able "to respond and take retaliatory measures, if they, or their partner countries, come under political or economic pressure," according to the EU body.