EuroMaidan rallies in Ukraine - Dec. 3 coverage - Dec. 04, 2013

Editor's Note: The Kyiv Post is providing continuous coverage of the protests in Kyiv and other cities following the government's decision on Nov. 21 to stop European Union integration and end pursuit of an association agreement. The rallies started on Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square) and are continuing after the Nov. 28-29 summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, at which Ukraine and the EU failed to reach any agreement. The events can be followed on Twitter using hashtags #euromaidan and #євромайдан or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/EuroMaydan.

Read the coverage of the Dec. 2 events here.

Read the morning coverage of the Dec. 1 events here, and the afternoon and evening coverage here.

Watch video of EuroMaidan events here on live stream and hromadske.tv.

President’s administration official says he came to meet with opposition, they were gone

Dec. 3, 8:10 p.m. Deputy chief of the president’s administration said he came to meet the opposition leaders when they entered the building, but by that time they were gone. “We’re always ready to meet with the opposition to start a constructive dialog and find common points of view,” said Serhiy Larin, the deputy chief of administration in a statement. — Katya Gorchinskaya

Over 10,000 demonstrators rallying on Independence Square in Kyiv now, Interior Ministry says.

Dec. 3, 7:50 p.m. Dmytro Korchinskiy, leader of radical Bratstvo organization, which was named responsible for the provocations that resulted in the clashes with police near President’s Administration on Dec. 1, is not in the police’s list of the suspected provocateurs, said Interior Minister speaker Serhiy Burlakov on Dec. 3. On Dec. 1 the Interior Ministry announced through its Facebook page that Korchinskiy’s Bratstvo is considered to be behind the provocations near the President’s Administration.

Dec. 3, 7:20 p.m. Over 10,000 demonstrators are currently on Independence Square in Kyiv, and the situation there is calm, Ukrainian Interior Ministry says.

“The demonstrators have left the streets near the presidential office. An absolute majority of participants in mass actions are currently on the city’s Independence Square. There are approximately more than 10,000 people there,” the ministry said.

No incidents have so far been recorded, it said — Interfax-Ukraine

Opposition leaders enter Presidential Administraion, Yanukovych not there

Dec. 3, 5:20 p.m. Batkivshchyna party leader Arseniy Yatseniuk, UDAR leader Vitali Klitschko and Svoboda leader Oleh Tiahnybok entered the presidential administration to speak with President Viktor Yanukovych, but he was not there, according to security guards. They said that the president’s chief of staff Serhiy Lyovochkin also was not present. — Vlad Lavrov

One of the activists sentenced to two months in jail

Dec. 3, 5:15 p.m. Oleksandr Solonenko, one of the activists who took part in the clashes near president’s administration building on Dec. 1, was sentenced to two months in jail, according to Hromadske TV journalist Dmytro Gnap. As reported, neither prosecutor’s office, no police listed the names of the activists who were brought to the court on Dec. 3. Hromadske TV reports that some opposition MPs are present in the court building. Earlier police opened 11 criminal proceedings after the seizure of administrative building in Kyiv on Dec. 1. — Olena Goncharova

Opposition leaders attempt to enter Presidential Administration

Dec. 3, 4:45 p.m. Batkivshchyna party leader Arseniy Yatseniuk, UDAR leader Vitali Klitschko and Svoboda leader Oleh Tiahnybok are attempting to enter the Presidential Administration on Bankova Street. Police have let them into the yard of the building. More than 2,000 people, including opposition leaders, have gathered on nearby Institutska Street. Police barricades were pushed back to Institutska Street from Bankova Street, on which protesters and police violently clashed on Dec. 1. Only journalists and opposition party members have been allowed to pass. The mood on Institutska right now is peaceful. Moments ago demonstrators offered tea and gave flowers to policemen.

Prior to his attempt to enter the Presidential Administration, Yatseniuk took to Twitter to demand that President Viktor Yanukovych remains in Kyiv and not and cancel a pending visit. “The opposition calls on the President to cancel visit to China, to dismiss the Cabinet (of Ministers) and call for early presidential elections and the parliament!” he wrote. — Vlad Lavrov, Christopher J. Miller

People are starting to move to Bankova Street

Dec. 3, 4:35 p.m. Frustrated by a failed no-confidence vote in parliament, the crowd of protesters started to move from Maidan Nezalezhnosti, the central site of strikes, to Bankova Street, the site of many clashes on Dec. 1. Hundreds of people were hurt there, including about 40 journalists. — Katya Gorchinskaya

Top EU official is coming to Kyiv to mediate

Dec. 3, 3:20 p.m. Council of Europe Secretary General Jagland is coming to Kyiv today for meetings tomorrow with the leaders of the parliamentary parties, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister

The Secretary General’s offer of assistance yesterday received a positive response from all sides concerned. The aim of the visit is to try to reduce tensions in Ukraine, a member state of the Council of Europe, and to see if a dialogue is possible with a view to finding a political solution to the crisis. — Katya Gorchinskaya

Only one Party of Regions lawmaker supports anti-government motion

Dec. 3, 2:33 p.m. Only one lawmaker of the Party of Regions out of 205 supported the move to oust the government during a vote on Dec.3. It was Yuriy Blahodyr, who came to parliament on a party list, under number 78.

Yatseniuk urges people to go to Bankova Street

Dec. 3, 2:22 p.m. After a failed vote in parliament to oust the government, Arseniy Yatseniuk called on the protesters to go to Bankova Street. Separately, Prime Minister Azarov’s spokesman said the prime minister could not get into the Cabinet building this morning. — Katya Gorchinskaya

EuroMaidan appeals to help to get medicine

Dec. 3, 2:21 p.m. Volunteers on EuroMaidan made an appeal though social networks for help to get medication. The phone number of Pavel, the doctor on duty there, is (380-68) 729-8110. He can provide details. — Katya Gorchinskaya

Parliament fails to fire government

Dec. 3, 1:30 p.m. Parliament failed to dismiss the Cabinet of Ministers in a no confidence vote. Only 186 deputies voted for the dismissal. At least 226 votes are needed for the motion to pass. Just five deputies voted against, while the rest abstained or did not cast a vote. — Olga Rudenko

Batkivshyna MP says current government a ‘bloody’ one

Dec. 3, 1:20 p.m. Sergiy Sobolev from Batkivshyna party tells parliament that “Ukraine’s never had a bloody government,” while addressing Mykola Azarov, who is in attendance at Verkhovna Rada. — Olena Goncharova

MPs chant ‘resign’ while Azarov speaks

Dec. 3. 1:10 p.m. Prime Minister Mykola Azarov says his Cabinet is “giving a hand” to protesters and offers them to negotiate the situation with the government. “Leave the politicians, they only crave to come to power,” he said, addressing protesters while speaking in parliament. During his speech, opposition parties chanted “Resign!” muting Azarov’s words. — Olga Rudenko

Parliament back in session, warning from opposition leader

Dec. 3, 1 p.m. Parliament is back in session, with Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara and Deputy Prime Minister Serhiy Boiko in attendance. Interior Minister Vitali Zakharchenko is not in attendance.

Addressing parliament, Batkivshchyna leader Arseniy Yatseniuk says that if the government does not resign, the opposition will block parliament and then march to the Presidential Administration. — Christopher J. Miller

Klitschko joins protest during parliament break

Dec. 3, 11:35 a.m. UDAR party leader Vitali Klitschko joined protesters outside the Verkhovna Rada while parliament adjourned in order to allow time for Prime Minister Mykola Azorov and members of his government to arrive.

“There is no trust in authorities today. I’m sure we’ll be able to make the government resign,” he told the crowd, addiing that Yanukovych should also resign. “Soon I hope we’ll make all of them accountable for their actions.” — Anastasia Forina

Deputies vote to bring cabinet of ministers to parliament

Dec. 3, 11:30 a.m. Members of parliament have voted to bring the Cabinet of Ministers to parliament to face a vote of no confidence. Parliament adjourned for 30 minutes, during which time Prime Minister Mykola Azarov and members of his government must show.

At the same time, Russian news outlet RIA Novosti reported that Azarov and other ministers attempted to go to parliament this morning, but were unable to get inside, due to the mass protest in front of the building. — Christopher J. Miller

Protesters outside parliament ready to stay ‘until the end’

Dec. 3, 11:27 a.m. Protesters outside parliament are chanting “Resignation!” and “Out with the gang!” and “Azarov to the basement!” Berkut still holding their lines, not allowing protesters to advance to parliament. The atmosphere among the crowd is tense but cheerful. Music plays from time to time. Protesters say they are ready to stay until a decision on the fate of the government is made.

“I’m here to make government resign. So far it looks like it’s not going to happen. But I will stay here until the end,” says nadiya Nazaruck, one of the protesters. — Anastasia Forina

Suspicious men in parliament

Dec. 3, 11:05 a.m. Volodymyr Ariev of opposition party Batkivshchyna told journalists at parliament that the suspicious young men suspected of being paid provocateurs refused to show their identification upon entering parliament. “But then chief of state security department in parliament showed up and said they were representatives of the state security department,” he said. — Oksana Grytsenko

Lytvyn speaks against Cabinet dismissal

Dec. 3, 11:00. MP Volodymyr Lytvyn adressed parliament calling for compromise and speaking against dismissing the Cabinet of Ministers. He addressed one of the opposition leaders Vitaliy Klitschko, reminding him how Klitschko and his brother Volodymyr Klitschko supported himself in 2004, saying that he has a photo from meeting the brothers in 2004. “I was photographed with half of the world. That doesn’t mean anything,” responded Klitschko.

Video by Russia Today shows events of the morning of Dec. 3 near parliament in Kyiv.

Website guides protesters

Dec. 3, 10:51. The newly emerged website GALAS is aimed to help protesters in Kyiv to find place to warm up, to dine and get medical aid. The website includes the map of Kyiv to look for free Wi-Fi spots in city center, renting services or legal advice. The visitors also can leave a report about missing people, find those who offer medical help etc. — Olena Goncharova

Tiahnybok encourages the protests once again

Dec. 3, 10:49. Nationalist Svoboda party leader Oleh Tiahnybok, addressing members of parliament, says the situation in Ukraine is catastrophic – economically and politically. “I’m asking people to stand up against authorities. Do not give up, Ukrainians.” — Anastasia Forina

Yatseniuk wants a criminal case against Zakharchenko

Dec. 3, 10:45. While addressing the parliament, Arseniy Yatseniuk repeated the demands of opposition and protesters that include dismissal of Cabinet of Ministers and putting criminal charges on Interior Minister Vitaliy Zakharchenko, who, according to Yatseniuk, gave order to attack protesters on Maidan Nezalezhnosti on 4 a.m. on Nov. 30. Yatsenkiuk also noted that the govenment of Mykola Azarov failed to show at parliament this morning, and ordered them to come within an hour. — Olga Rudenko, Christopher J. Miller

Yatseniuk demands thugs taken out of parliament

Dec. 3, 10:40 a.m. Batkivshchyna party leader Arseniy Yatsenuik adressed parliament and claimed that 200 thugs, hired by Party of Regions, were brought inside the parliament building on the order given by Volodymyr Rybak, the head of Rada. He demanded them taken out of the building. — Olga Rudenko

Klitschko addresses parliament

Dec. 3, 10:30 a.m. UDAR party leader Vitali Klitschko addresses parliament and demands early elections. He also appeals to President Viktor Yanukovych to resign. — Anastasia Forina

Police ask protesters outside parliament to stay calm

Dec. 3, 10:26 a.m. Tensions rise outside as parliament session goes on inside. Police protecting the building address protesters repeatedly, asking that they remain calm and not violate public order. People respond with shouts of “You are the provocateurs!” and “Shame!” — Anastasia Forina

Anatoliy Kinakh suggests forming working group

Dec. 3, 10:20 a.m. Party of Regions deputy Anatoliy Kinakh, speaking in parliament, suggests forming a working group to discuss the measure of punishment for organizers of demonstrations. — Christopher J. Miller

Parliament is now in session, with 411 deputies present

Dec. 3, 10:10 a.m. Speaker of Ukraine’s Parliament Volodymyr Rybak opens today’s parliament session. In attendance are 411 members of parliament. Party of Regions faction leader Oleksandr Yefremov, has said that the faction is not planning to vote for a draft resolution of no-confidence in the government led by Prime Minister Mykola Azarov. — Christopher J. Miller

Demonstrators, heavy security in front of parliament building

Dec. 3, 9:47 a.m. As the parliament session was about to open, tensions grow high in front of the Verkhovna Rada, where thousands of protesters waving Ukrainian and opposition party flags have gathered. They have been singing Ukraine’s national anthem and chanting “the police are with the people.” Security outside the building is so heavy that the parliament looks as if it’s under blockade. The parliament is expected to take a vote for government resignation under the pressure of masses of people in the streets. It’s still unclear how the vote will turn out.

Also near the parliament building a few hundred pro-government protesters have gathered. They are waving Party of Regions flags and singing Soviet-era songs, including the popular Katyusha. — Katya Gorchinskaya, Oksana Grytsenko

Dec. 3, 8:40 a.m. Demonstrators are moving to the parliament building along Hrushevsky Street. Berkut, the riot police, is guarding the Rada building heavily.

European Parliament will hold support rally for Ukraine today

Dec. 3, 5:51 a.m. The vice president of the European People’s Party, and a member of the European Parliament, Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, encouraged everyone to come to the European Parliament, to express solidarity with Ukraine and Ukrainian support in their struggle for European future. The “Solidarity with Ukraine” even will take place on Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. on the third floor of the European Parliament in Brussels. –– Brian Bonner

SEE KYIV POST COVERAGE OF THE NOV. 30 POLICE CRACKDOWN ON EUROMAIDAN HERE:

Interior minister justifies police attacks to EU, US ambassadors

Back to the Middle Ages on the way to Europe: Beaten Kyiv protesters take refuge in church yard

Yanukovych says police beatings not his fault

Kyiv police chief admits ordering attack on EuroMaidan protesters

Opposition under fire for failure to protect protesters

Vox Populi with Daryna Shevchenko: How should the nation react to police violence against protesters?

Victims describe excessive, indiscriminate attacks

Lyovochkin, Yanukovych’s chief of staff, resigns

Police say protesters provoked violence

Police attack on Kyiv’s EuroMaidan demonstrators draws international outrage

Police were ‘like a machine cleaning the street,’ says a beating victim