Ukraine's President Urges Opposition to Reach Compromise

A general view of Independence Square during protests in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, 18 February 2014. Photo by EPA/BGNES

President Viktor Yanukovych called on the opposition to find a common ground and reach a compromise for the future of Ukraine.

Yanukovich said in a statement Wednesday that some members of the anti-government opposition had crossed the line by urging their supporters to bring weapons to the demonstration in the central square of Ukraine's capital, Kiev.

Ukraine's President insisted that the offenders had to be taken to court over the crude violation of law.

Yanukovich, as cited by the BBC News, accused opposition leaders of ignoring "the basic principle of democracy" according to which power is obtained not on the streets but through elections.

He urged leaders of the opposition to dissociate themselves from the radicals who had triggered bloodshed and clashes with law enforcement or admit that they support the provocateurs.

At least 25 were killed in in violent clashes between anti-government protesters and police on Tuesday in Kiev, according to Ukraine's Health Ministry. Among the victims is a journalist from the local 'Vesti' newspaper, Vyacheslav Veremey, who died of gunshot wounds.

The unrest left 241 people wounded.

The protests began in late November, when President Viktor Yanukovych rejected a landmark association and trade deal with the EU in favor of closer ties with Russia.

The latest wave of violence erupted on Tuesday morning as government supporters blocked opposition attempts to scale back the president's constitutional powers.

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