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Key points in Ukrainian protests

11 December 2013, 18:45 CET
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(KIEV) - Thursday will mark three weeks of Ukrainian protests against their government's rejection of a historic pact with the European Union (EU).

Here are key dates in the opposition's mobilisation:

NOVEMBER

- 21: Ukraine halts preparations to sign a trade and political agreement with the EU and decides to reinforce relations with Moscow.

Opposition figures denounce the decisions and jailed leader Yulia Tymoshenko calls for public protests, which begin the following days, notably on the Independence Square in Kiev, and other cities.

- 26: The government acknowledges that Russia dissuaded it from signing the EU deal.

- 29: President Viktor Yanukovych confirms at an EU summit that he will not sign the agreement.

- 30: Security forces disperse demonstrators in Kiev, injuring dozens. The opposition calls for fresh elections after accusing Yanukovych of "treason".

DECEMBER

- 01: Several hundred thousand people rally in Kiev and smaller cities in favour of closer EU ties.

Around 300 people are injured in clashes, and occupy the Kiev town hall.

- 02: Thousands block the president's office, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov says the movement "has all the signs of a coup d'etat".

Russian President Vladimir Putin says the rallies "look more like a pogrom than a revolution."

- 05: German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle calls attempts to pry Ukraine away from the EU "unacceptable."

Tymoshenko says the regime is like that of Josef Stalin and urges it be toppled "peacefully."

- 06: Yanukovych and Putin mull a "strategic partnership" in Sochi, Russia. A day later, Yanukovych's opponents accuse him of "selling" Ukraine to Russia.

- 08: Several hundred thousand people demand Yanukovych's ouster and topple a statue of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin in central Kiev in the biggest rally since the Orange Revolution in 2004.

- 10: Yanukovych says that "calls for a revolution pose a threat to national security", and meets with EU foreign affairs head Catherine Ashton.

- 11: Security forces move against protestors on Independence Square shortly after midnight but are forced back. US Secretary of State John Kerry voices "disgust" at the attempt, while Ashton condemns the use of force against demonstrators.

Yanukovych meets with US Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland, who also meets with protesters.

Ukrainian Orthodox Patriarch Filaret warns more violence could spark a full-blown civil conflict.

Azarov says Ukraine needs 20 billion euros in EU aid if it is to sign the agreement.


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