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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An anti-government protester advances through a burning barricade in Kiev's Independence Square February 20, 2014. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
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Unbelievable that the EU still believes in the dialogue with Yanukovich. 35 deaths this morning, still counting.. #Kiev #Ukraine #euromaidanby dennis_dw via twitter 2/20/2014 10:23:04 AM -
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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#Yanukovych is committing heinous atrocities in #Kyiv . Massacring people Should be forced to resign and sent to #Hague tribunal. #EuroMaidanby Anders Östlund via twitter 2/20/2014 10:21:19 AM -
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 -
are EU sanctions likely to have any effect on the situation on the ground in Kiev? -
by max seddon via twitter 2/20/2014 10:08:49 AM -
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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Are the goverment likely to implement a communications blackout? Blocking social media/mobile phone networks?
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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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Bells from St. Michael's Monastery ringing out... bodies everywhere on and around Maidan. Gunfire continues. #EuroMaidan #Ukraineby Christopher Miller via twitter 2/20/2014 9:50:19 AM -
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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Watching #euromaidan , feeling powerless. EU must act now, stop massacre! Heart of Europe beats in Kyiv! Their battle is ours! @sikorskiradekby Monica Tiberi via twitter 2/20/2014 9:44:32 AM -
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 -
by Christopher Miller via twitter 2/20/2014 9:36:29 AM -
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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That's just sick to gun down so many protesters in Kyiv just during the official mourning day for previous victims of clashesby Maxim Eristavi via twitter 2/20/2014 9:33:58 AM -
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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European ministers shouldn't have scheduled a meeting with Yanukovych in the first place. #Sanctions , not talks! #euromaidan #ukraineby Beirutbeats via twitter 2/20/2014 9:18:59 AM -
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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can you really stop a nation that is not afraid to die #ukraineprotests #euromaidan #Єврореволюція #євромайданby AnKorn via twitter 2/20/2014 9:12:50 AM -
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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If it were the protesters, radical or not, that have re-ignited the clashes after a truce was called, who will be held accountable? Will the western world put the same pressure as they have been puttin on Yanukovych?
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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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Does the anti-government sentiment of these protestors represent the whole country or is this an Occupy style movement where a highly mobile and visible minority is being given a lot of media attention? Does the movement appear to be running out of steam?
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Does the regional parliament in Lviv have any forces behind it? Police? Security services? Does it have any means to enforce its declaration of executive power?
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You can feel the darkness there just from watching this video.....
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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
Malaysia PM defies calls to quit, says commands majority
KUALA LUMPUR Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said on Wednesday he continued to command majority support among lawmakers, defying mounting calls from some of his own allies and the opposition for him to step down.