Friends of the Earth Europe calls on the European Union to undertake all possible diplomatic steps to end the abhorrent violence witnessed in the streets of Kiev, Ukraine. Standing in solidarity with Friends of the Earth Ukraine/Zeleny Svit, we are deeply concerned for the safety of all citizens, and express our sympathies for the victims of brutality.

Magda Stoczkiewicz, director of Friends of the Earth Europe said: “We stand in solidarity with our colleagues in the Ukraine, and condemn the violence. The Ukrainian government must bring an immediate end to brutality on Kiev’s streets, for the sake of its citizens, and democracy.”

Friends of the Earth International is demanding that all charges against Friends of the Earth Ukraine member Vadim Shebanov, and other activists arrested and detained by the police during a peaceful protest in the city of Dnipropetrovsk on January 26, are dropped. Mr Shebanov, who is a well-known activist and former deputy of the Dnipropetrovsk regional council, was engaged in an effort to try and open negotiations between local authorities and protesters gathered in the city centre.

http://www.foeeurope.org/ukraine-violence-must-end-210214

EU must act; Red Cross involvement key

Following the escalation of violence in Ukraine, Greens/EFA co-president Rebecca Harms commented:

“The EU must exert pressure on Kiev and Moscow equally. Europe is not powerless: EU governments must swiftly adopt targeted sanctions against those in the Ukrainian leadership, who are responsible for the escalation. Freezing their accounts is overdue.

“The EU can also pressurise Russia through gas diplomacy, for example. There are alternatives to the planned South Stream pipeline, which would make Europe more dependent on Gazprom. This would force Putin to adjust relations with the EU. However, to do so, it is essential that Europe speaks with one voice.

“The EU must try by all means to stop the violence in Ukraine. The European Parliament has decided to send a permanent observer mission to Ukraine and this should leave as soon as possible. The OSCE must also get involved. With doctors and hospitals being prevented from treating seriously injured demonstrators and injured persons abducted from hospitals, we also need a rapid deployment of the Red Cross in Kiev.”

Green foreign and neighbourhood policy spokesperson Werner Schulz added:

“The brutal crackdown by president Yanukovych must be stopped. Yanukovich has lost all legitimacy as president and the EU must immediately freeze the assets of the Yanukovych regime. The appalling statement by Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, that the confrontations in Ukraine are the result of European politics, should be roundly condemned. It is president Putin and the Russian government that bear responsibility for provoking the crisis, with their aggressive attitude towards the agreement between the EU and Ukraine, and fueling it recent months.”

http://www.greens-efa.eu/ukrainian-crisis-11810.html

February, 18 (morning).

Deputies from opposition parties planned rose the question concerning returning to previous Constitution (2004) with limited powers of president during session of Verhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament). Protesters started movement to the Verhovna Rada for making circle around Parliament to show their support of returning to previous Constitution and demand reelection of President and Parliament. Speaker of the Parliament refused to register the consideration for a return to the old constitution. Deputies from opposition blocked the rostrum of Parliament demanded to consider their proposals.

There were started confrontation between protesters and police, which was supported by titushky in same places with usage the stun grenades and other kind of weapons. Protesters also started used paving stones, Molotov cocktails and sticks.

February, 18 (afternoon).

After the battles between police and protesters in several places in governmental quarter with usage not only traumatic but military weapons people ran back to the Maydan. To this moment up to 7 people have been killed. Police launched an attack towards Maydan. Here is video how police and titushky with guns finish off to death the people – http://censor.net.ua/video_news/271640/desyatki_banditov_iz_militsii_i_titushek_nasmert_zabivayut_boyitsov_samooborony_v_mariinskom_parke_video

Security Service of Ukraine and the Ministry of Internal Affairs announced an ultimatum with the requirement to completely release maidan from protesters to 18 p.m. Metro was fully stopped. Police started block streets around Maydan.

February, 18 (evening – night).

Coordinators of protesters call to all people come to the Maydan and help to defend main protesters place (Maydan of Independence). Armored troop-carriers began to move toward the center of Kyiv. It was confirmed hundreds of wounded people from both sides. Also have been confirmed several death of policeman.

Police started assault of Maydan at 8 p.m. with armored troop-carriers, water jet vehicles and guns. During negotiations between opposition leaders and president Yanukovich demanded to  leave Maydan and only then to return to negotiations.

Attempts to clean up the Maydan continues all night.

Here is the video police (marked the same as titushky with yellow stripes) armed with the military weapon – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls74ne52xiI

Here is the video attack the barricade by the armored troop-carrier – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoMUxGkBlf0

People in western regions of Ukraine started capture of governmental buildings including police and Security Service of Ukraine.

February, 19 (morning).

Police stopped attack the Maydan. Ministry of Health confirmed death of 25 people and number of wounded more than 350. Authority organised blocking the Kyiv for preventing coming supporters to the Maydan, but some groups find ways bypassing roadblocks and join to protesters.

In Dnipropetrovsk started protest near regional council and administration. People demanded from authority to stop the violence from police in Ukraine and start negotiations. Also people call Dnipropetrovsk authority to declare mourning for the victims of yesterday’s clashes in Kiev. As answer authority orginised the concert near meeting place with dancing and singing of happy songs.

(See video here https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=489436637829573&set=vb.100002897221192&type=2&theater )

500 paratroopers sent to Kyiv from Dnipropetrovsk. This information confirmed by Ministry of Armed Forces.

February, 19 (day – evening).

No open fire between police and protesters. Medical volunteers from the Maydan says about more than 2000 wounded people after nights assoult. Yanukovich changed Chief of the military forces and Commander Naval Forces. Security Service of Ukraine say about staring antiterrorist operation on all Ukraine territory. It is means in fact emergency and unlimited powers of police and military. Some of the police units begun to join protesters, mainly in western regions.

February, 20 (morning – day).

Protesters begun attack the police military forces which that surrounded the Maydan. Both sides use open fire. Parliament and Cabinet of Ministers evacuated. New dead, say that snipers killing people on the Maydan and around streets. Deputies from Party of Regions mass out the party in many regions.