World News liveblog
Reuters live coverage of events around the world. Follow @ReutersWorld on Twitter for top news and @ReutersLive for live video events.
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Even if the Maidan were somehow to hold its ground and gain the upper hand a political consensus would still have to be found, writes Reuters columnist William E. Pomeranz
Read his column here -
Russia says West must not impose sanctions on Ukraine officials
MOSCOW - Russia sharply criticized Western sanctions against Ukrainian officials on Thursday, after the United States imposed visa bans and the European Union considered similar measures.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said that threats of sanctions were "inappropriate" and would only aggravate the confrontation between the Ukrainian government and its opponents. Separately, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov likened threats of sanctions to blackmail, RIA news agency reported.
(Reuters) -
Reuters Picture: Anti-government protesters carry an injured man on a stretcher after clashes with riot police in Independence Square in Kiev February 20, 2014. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko
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Reuters Picture: An anti-government protester shows a bullet after violence erupted in the Independence Square in Kiev February 20, 2014. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko
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Reuters Picture: Anti-government protesters take cover behind shields after violence erupted in the Independence Square in Kiev February 20, 2014. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
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Reuters Picture: Two anti-government protesters stand behind a blood stained shield after violence erupted in the Independence Square in Kiev February 20, 2014. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko
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Britain summons Ukrainian ambassador after violent clashes in Kiev kill at least 21 civilians: Reuters
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A woman reacts in front of dead bodies of anti-government protesters dead body on a stretcher after violence erupted in the Independence Square in Kiev February 20, 2014. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko
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Anti-government protesters carry petrol bombs during clashes with riot police in Independence Square in Kiev February 20, 2014. REUTERS/Maks Levin
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Anti-government protesters advance through burning barricades in Kiev's Independence Square February 20, 2014. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
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Anti-government protesters look on during clashes with riot police near Independence Square in Kiev February 20, 2014. REUTERS/Maks Levin
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RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER LAVROV LIKENS THREAT OF SANCTIONS AGAINST UKRAINE TO BLACKMAIL - RIA
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Anti-government protesters lead away a riot policeman in Independence Square in Kiev February 20, 2014. REUTERS/Maks Levin
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An anti-government protester advances through a burning barricade in Kiev's Independence Square February 20, 2014. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
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Anti-government protesters prepare to advance over a burning barricade in Kiev's Independence Square February 20, 2014. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
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Anti-government protesters prepare to advance over a burning barricade in Kiev's Independence Square February 20, 2014. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
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An anti-government protester advances through a burning barricade in Kiev's Independence Square February 20, 2014. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
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Anti-government protesters carry shields as they run after violence erupted in the Independence Square in Kiev February 20, 2014. REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili
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Twenty-one bodies seen on or near Kiev's Independence Square - Reuters eyewitness
KIEV (Reuters) - Twenty-one bodies were lying on the ground covered by blankets on or near Kiev's Independence Square on Thursday, a Reuters photographer at the scene said.
Photographer Vasily Fedosenko said he saw six bodies at the northwestern side of the square and then a few moments later saw a further four bodies about 100 metres away at the other side of the plaza.
They were all civilians, he said.
A short while later, he saw another five bodies in front of the hotel Ukraina, which stands on a hill and looks down on Independence Square.
He later reported seeing six more bodies in different places near the square.
Local media and an opposition twitter account Euromaidan put the death toll among protesters at more than 30. -
Leaders must take politics off street-Strongly support convening VR session today-Only way out-negotiated pol reform, not more bloodshed.
— Geoffrey Pyatt (@GeoffPyatt) February 20, 2014 -
TWENTY-ONE BODIES, ALL CIVILIANS, SEEN LYING ON KIEV STREETS NEAR INDEPENDENCE SQUARE - REUTERS EYEWITNESS
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Ukraine presidency blames protesters for starting Thursday's clashes
KIEV (Reuters) - Ukraine's presidency on Thursday blamed protesters for starting violence and using snipers which resulted in clashes with police which has led to at least 15 people being killed.
A statement from President Viktor Yanukovich's office said: "They (the protesters) went on to the offensive. They are working in organised groups. They are using firearms, including sniper rifles. They are shooting to kill.
"The number of dead and injured among police officers is in dozens," the statement on the presidential website said. -
Anti-government protesters carry an injured man on a stretcher after clashes with riot police in Independence Square in Kiev February 20, 2014. REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili
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Anti-government protesters carry an injured man on a stretcher in Independence Square in Kiev February 20, 2014. REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili
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A woman reacts as dead bodies are seen on the ground following violence in Independence Square in Kiev February 20, 2014. REUTERS/Konstantin Chernichkin
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Truly alarming development in Kiev. We repeat our call for all to avoid violence and for regime to initiate truly honest political process.
— Carl Bildt (@carlbildt) February 20, 2014 -
Volunteer doctor takes the microphone on Independence Square, talking about the people she has treated. Breaks down in tears - "Snipers are shooting us in the streets."
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Russian singer Ruslana now speaking on Independence Square. Holds up spent bullet cases and ammunition, asks people to be careful and help the injured.
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Ukraine leadership must be in "good shape" for ties, says Russian PM - Ifax
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Thursday Russia could only have fully-fledged bilateral relations with Ukraine when its legitimate leadership was in "good shape", Interfax news agency reported.
"We will continue to cooperate with our Ukrainian partners in all areas, we will try to do everything to fulfil those promises which we gave. But at the same time for this to happen it is necessary for our partners themselves to be in good shape and for the authorities in Ukraine to be legitimate and effective," he was quoted as saying. -
The lobby of our #Kiev hotel is now a makeshift hospital & morgue: casualties brought here from this morning's explosion of violence
— Steve Rosenberg (@BBCSteveR) February 20, 2014 -
From the stage on Independence Square a speaker begs police to surrender, promises amnesty and then urges protesters to fortify the barricades.
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Smoke rises over Independence Square during clashes between anti-government protesters and riot police in Kiev February 20, 2014. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko
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Anti-government protesters carry an injured man on a stretcher in Independence Square in Kiev February 20, 2014. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko
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Smoke rises above burning barricades at Independence Square during anti-government protests in Kiev February 20, 2014. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko
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Violence halts EU envoys' meeting in Kiev - Polish minister
WARSAW (Reuters) - Fighting between police and opposition protesters near the presidential palace in the Ukrainian capital prevented a planned meeting between European envoys and President Viktor Yanukovich, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said.
"Black smoke, denotations and gunfire around presidential palace. Meeting moved to another location. Officials panicky," Sikorski said in a post on Twitter. He had flown into Kiev along with counterparts from Germany and France. -
FIFTEEN BODIES SEEN IN THREE DIFFERENT PARTS OF KIEV'S INDEPENDENCE SQUARE - REUTERS EYEWITNESS
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Social media reports up to 50 captured riot police being taken to the Ukrainian Energy Ministry building to receive medical treatment from volunteer protester medical service.
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An anti-government protester takes pictures as he stands behind burning barricades in Kiev's Independence Square February 19, 2014. Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich accused pro-European opposition leaders on Wednesday of trying to seize power by force after at least 26 people died in the worst violence since the former Soviet republic gained independence. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
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NATO warns Ukraine ties will suffer if army intervenes in crisis
ReutersBRUSSELS (Reuters) - NATO leaders echoed the United States on Wednesday in urging Ukraine's armed forces to stay out of the crisis there, warning Kiev that its relations with the Western alliance would -
Obama, Canada's Harper agree Ukraine truce would be positive step if implemented
TOLUCA, Mexico - U.S. President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper reacted cautiously to a truce between the Ukrainian government and opposition leaders, saying it would be a welcome step if implemented.
A White House statement describing face-to-face talks between Obama and Harper at a North American summit said the two leaders condemned violence in Kiev in which at least 26 people were killed.
"The leaders noted reports of a truce between the government and the opposition which, if implemented, would be a welcome step forward in pursuing that meaningful dialogue. They agreed they will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure that actions mirror words," the statement said.
They also urged the Ukrainian military to show restraint and not become involved in issues that should be resolved by civilians, the statement said.
(Reporting by Mark Felsenthal in Toluca and Roberta Rampton and Steve Holland in Washington; Editing by Sandra Maler) -
Ukraine: a crisis that affects us all
the GuardianEditorial: The increasingly grave developments in the Ukrainian capital could have repercussions for Russia, the EU, and the world -
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A woman places a candle during a demonstration of solidarity with Ukrainian people in front of the Ukraine embassy in Warsaw February 19, 2014. REUTERS/Kacper Pempe
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Reuters Picture: An anti-government protester stands behind a burning barricade in Kiev's Independence Square February 19, 2014. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
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Reuters Pictures: Anti-government protesters rest at a barricade near the site of clashes with Interior Ministry members and riot police in Kiev, February 19, 2014. REUTERS/Konstantin Grishin
Putin says Russia will follow up fast after Ukraine call with Biden
MOSCOW Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Russia would send ideas to Washington within a week to follow up his talks with U.S. President Joe Biden on the Ukraine crisis.
