Editor's Note: The Kyiv Post will be 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 suspend pursuit of an association agreement. The rallies started on Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square) the night of Nov. 21 and are continuing in Kyiv and other cities in the aftermath of 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.
Watch Radio Svoboda’s live video of EuroMaidan rallies HERE
Or check out this live web camera on Maidan Nezalezhnosti HERE
SEE OTHER KYIV POST EUROMAIDAN COVERAGE HERE:
EuroMaidan rallies (live updates): EuroMaidan rallies in Ukraine
EuroMaidan rallies on Nov. 26: EuroMaidan rallies in Ukraine
EuroMaidan rallies on Nov. 25: EuroMaidan rallies in Ukraine
EuroMaidan rallies on Nov. 24: EuroMaidan rallies in Ukraine
EuroMaidan rallies from Nov. 21-23: EuroMaidan rallies in Ukraine
See also coverage of the first night of the protests: “Nine years after start of Orange Revolution, Kyivans take to streets in protest of scuttled EU deal”
Wednesday’s protest dwindling, more protests in store for Thursday, first day of Vilnius Summit
Nov. 27, 11:15 p.m. Tonight’s protest is winding down following hours of live performances from some of Ukraine’s biggest musical acts. Capping the night off were some words of encouragement from a representative of the Canadian-based Ukrainian World Congress.
EuroMaidan protesters are expected to occupy Maidan Nezalezhnosti throughout the day tomorrow, but two particular demonstrations are planned for 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. — Daryna Shevchenko
University threatens students with expulsion, says teacher; other institutes forbid students from ditching classes to protest (updated)
Nov. 27, 8:36 p.m. Kharkiv Polytechnical Institute allegedly had staff check on class attendance today, threatening those students who did not show up with expulsion, Connie Postelli, a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in Kharkiv who teaches at the institute told the Kyiv Post.
“I found out today that my university will start expelling students for participating in the EuroMaidan rallies in Kyiv,” Postelli wrote on Facebook.
Kharkiv Polytechnical Institute administrators could not be reached for comment when the Kyiv Post called at 6 p.m.
“I have never had anyone come into my classrooms to take attendance before. I work in the translation (department) at the school. A man came into my classes today to take attendance, when I asked why he said he had been told to do this and that any students who were missing classes because they were at the protests were going to be expelled,” Postelli said.
Postelli said it was odd that attendance was even being taken.
“I have students registered in my classes that I have never seen. And at the end of the term, they have 4’s or 5’s in those classes. To my knowledge, no one has ever been expelled from my university for missing classes,” she said
Students’ class attendence was not only being taken in Postelli’s classes, but in every classroom, she said.
Ukrainian singer Ruslana, speaking at tonight’s EuroMaidan demonstration, said that administrators at the National Academy of Music had disallowed students from taking part in protests this week and called on all universities to allow students the chance to protest. She also read a statement from students of Draomanov University who said that administrators there have forbidden them to join pro-EU protests, post political commentary to social media and wear Ukraine-EU ribbons. She said that tomorrow’s students’ strike, scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. in Shevchenko Park, will be larger than today’s.
One Poltava online newspaper reported that Poltava Pedagogical University Korolenka also prohibited students from taking part in EuroMaidan events. Oleksandr Koba, a student at the University, told the news site that his fellow students were wary of posting photos to their social media pages of them at EuroMaidan events, fearing retribution from university faculty who were monitoring popular networks. — Christopher J. Miller, Daryna Shevchenko
Presidential administration accepts students’ appeal, promises response
Nov. 27, 7:48 p.m. President Viktor Yanukovych has promised to meet with the Ukrainian student community, but he has not said when he will do so, the head of the presidential administration of Ukraine Serhiy Liovochkin has said in a statement posted to the president’s official website.
The students’ handed over the appeal to the president’s administration today on Bankova Street. It calls on the president to immediately meet with student representatives who participate in EuroMaidan, and it demands that he “Perform tasks necessary for signing the association agreement with the EU, publicly announce the purpose of your presence at the Vilnius summit… and express willingness to sign it on November 29.”
Students also asked that he ensure the safety of civilians participating in EuroMaidan in all cities of Ukraine and stop local authorities from banning EuroMaidan events in their cities.
About 15,000 students representing 12 universities in Ukraine signed the appeal. Some of them marched from Maidan Nezalezhnosti to Bankova street, chanting “sign it” and “students strike.” Watch the video below. — Christopher J. Miller, Oksana Grytsenko
Polish member of parliament to speak at EuroMaidan tonight
Nov. 27, 7:35 p.m. Member of Polish Parliament Marcin Swieecicki will speak to EuroMaidan protesters at Maidan Nezalezhnosti tonight at 8 p.m. The MP said on Twitter that he will speak “to uphold hope.” – Christopher J. Miller
Bankova Street remains closed
Nov. 27, 7:20 p.m. Bankova Street is blocked. There are a lot of protesters. Police is staying near Presidential building. No one can go through the cordon. Only those who works there. — Mariia Shamota
Students plan to protest again on Nov. 28 (updated)
Nov. 27, 5:30 p.m. Tomorrow students will organize a new wave of protests, according to student organizer Yuliya Kochetova. Students from Kyiv National University, Kyiv Mohyla Academy and Kyiv Polytechnic Institute plan to begin marching from Shevchenko Park in central Kyiv to Maidan Nezalezhnosti at 4 p.m. — Mariia Shamota
Youth of Donetsk writes a letter to Lviv protesters: ‘We also want to be a part of Europe’
A group calling itself the youth community of Donetsk wrote pro-European protesters in Lviv a letter in Vkontakte, a Russian version of Facebook, reported Lvivski Novyny newspaper.
The letter greets the Lviv readers “from the glorious Ukrainian city of Donetsk,” adding that Ukraine’s fifth largest city is an intrinsic part of the country.
It continued: “We are a progressive community of caring citizens who in this difficult time write to you because we would like for you to know the truth about Donetsk.”
It goes on to say that the youth in Donetsk also want to be a “part of the civilized European world.”
The letter expressed regret that the “government, in proclaiming itself to be a ‘big Euro-integrator’, showed its true face.”
“The criminal regime of (President Viktor) Yanukovych-(Prime Minister Mykola) Azarov, who while pursuing their narrow interests and earning money from Moscow, have suspended the process of signing the association agreement with the European Union,” read the letter.
It stated that the nation’s future is under threat and says that “a war has been declared upon us” by an “anti-Ukrainian government,” one that is associated with “hatred towards its own people, with treason, deceit, extortion, corruption, and disregard for laws and basic human rights.”
The letter’s authors proclaim that Ukraine is Europe, and is proud of its nation and history.
“Dear Lviv residents…although hundreds of kilometers separate us, we are one with our thoughts and together our hearts beat in unison,” the letter continues. “We want to assure you that Donetsk will always be a part of greater Ukraine and not part of Russkiy Mir (Russian world) or Little Russia.”
It concluded: “Let every Ukrainian, from Lviv to Donetsk, know that they are not alone…but it is (equally) important always to remain a human being…we pulling for you with all our souls and sincerely wish you success in your struggle. We are with you! Together and until the end!” – Mark Rachkevych
Nov. 27, 4:20 p.m. Andy Hunder, director of the Ukrainian Institute, London, spoke with supporters of Ukraine’s European integration during a demonstration near Parliament in London on Nov. 23. Similar rallies of Ukrainians and Ukraine supporters have been held around the world since Nov. 21, when protesters first took to the streets following the government’s decision earlier that day to abandon an historic political and free trade agreement with the EU. Watch the video of Hunder speaking in London below. — Christopher J. Miller
Ruslana performs for student protesters at Maidan
Nov. 27, 3:55 p.m. Singer Ruslana Lyzhychko, Ukraine’s Eurovision winner of 2004, performed for some 2,000 student protesters who ditched classes to come to Maidan Nezalezhnosti. The singer jumped around the stage and shouted “Who is not jumping is Moskal (slang name for Russian).” Students joined joined in turn. — Mariia Shamota
Vehicle of EuroMaidan co-organizer scorched
Nov. 27, 3:40 p.m. A sports utility vehicle that belongs to Oleksandr Danyliuk, a co-organizer of the pro-European rally on Independence Square, was burnt to the ground on the morning of Nov. 27, said the press service of Spilna Sprava, an anti-government group of which he is the coordinator.
Danyliuk told the Kyiv Post that he believes the act was directly connected to his work as a civic activist and for his organization’s radical stance towards the government.
According to the manifesto of Spilna Sprava, the group doesn’t recognize the legitimacy of President Viktor Yanukovych’s administration and the government of Prime Minister Mykola Azarov. According to Danyliuk, it is currently calling on Yanukovych and Azarov to resign and “for a new president to sign an association agreement with the European Union.”
His 2007 Hyundai Tucson was set on fire at approximately 6-6:30 a.m. on Nov. 27 in the Solomyansky district of southwestern Kyiv where it was parked near the building of Danyliuk’s residence.
Danyliuk said there were no eyewitnesses of the incident. He said he lost his notebook computer in the fire, including organizational documents and unpublished literary works and articles. — Mark Rachkevych
Yatseniuk adopts fiery rhetoric
Nov. 27, 2:52 p.m. Arseniy Yatseniuk, leader of the opposition Batkivshchyna party, has ratcheted up the political rhetoric. A flavor of his fire-and-brimstone speeches can be found in his Nov. 25 remarks outside the Cabinet of Minister: “Mykola Azarov is claiming today that agreement with the European Union is not being signed as it will allegedly bring to economic problems. He is lying. For more than three years, this prime minister together with President Viktor Yanukovych has been robbing Ukraine. It was exactly Mykola Azarov together with government, which it is hard to call the Ukrainian one, who destroyed the Ukrainian economy. Zero economic growth, production decline, two million of unemployed people in Ukraine – that was done not by the European Union, it was done not by Russia, it was done by Azarov and Yanukovych, who have to go to the past. Both Yanukovych and Azarov need to be dismissed by us.”
“And also, addressing Yanukovych: “You were lying to Ukrainian people for years. You and European integration are incompatible. In Europe, they do not rob their people, do not rob the country. In Europe, there is no corrupt president and government, no corrupt judges and prosecutors.
“In Europe, they respect honor and dignity of citizens, police do not fight against their own people. That is why we believe that Viktor Yanukovych will never fulfill this (association) deal. But he has a chance to sign the agreement in Vilnius. That is why we are carrying on negotiations with our European partners. And today Europe has already showed support to hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians, who came to maidans for their European future.” — Oksana Grytsenko and Brian Bonner
Student crowd size grows, led by university president
Nov. 27, 2:22 p.m More than 3,000 students from Kyiv Mohyla Academy and Lviv’s Ivano Franko National University are marching to Maidan Nezalezhnosti to join the ongoing EuroMaidan protests now in their seventh day in Kyiv. Students from Kyiv Mohyla Academy marched up the hill from the Podil neighborhood to Andriyivsky Uzviv to join other students from Taras Shevchenko National University and other universities. The well-organized column from Kyiv Mohyla Academy, one of the nation’s best universities, was headed by the university’s president, Serhiy Kvit, professors and some parents. Alumni who participated in teh 2004 Orange Revolution when they were students gathered at Kontraktova Square at noon. They came with a ladder to put a big Europea Union flag on the statue of Hryhory Skovoroda, the late European philosopher and a symbol of Ukraine’s oldest university. who They carried Ukrainian flags and chanted “the Ukrainian nation is for Euro-integration!” and “Maidan is not Sovok!” and “Ukraine is the most important” and “Glory to Urkaine and “Glory to Heroes!” Students sang the famous folk song “Chervona Ruta” and Ukraine’s national anthem. Protesters are occupying both sides of Maidan, but the general meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. The student leader, Myron Gordiychuk, fixed the crowd size at more than 3,000 students. Some of them plan to skip university classes if needed to ensure that Ukraine takes steps to join the European Union, something that President Viktor Yanukovych and Prime Minister Mykola Azarov refused to do in an abrupt reversal of foreign policy on Nov. 21. — Olena Goncharova and Oksana Lyachynska
Lawyer sets up rival speakers to EuroMaidan, denounced as provocateur
Nov. 27, 1:52 p.m. Anatoliy Bashlovka, a lawyer, set up two sound speakers at the bottom of the steps that lead to Independence Square at approximately noon “to allow people to voice their concerns.” When EuroMaidan organizers discovered he was there with the sound equipment, rally leaders Oleh Rybachuk and Egor Sobolev rushed to the spot. Bashlovka told them he didn’t need permission to set up a forum because he was “acting as a private individual.” Protesters denounced him as a “provocateur.”When asked why he set up so close to the EuroMaidan, Bashlovka said he has the right to because he is a “local.” After an hour of talking with protesters, the lawyer was escorted to the main stage where he stood in line to wait his turn to address the crowd. – Mark Rachkevych
Russian tourist visits Independence Square
Nov 27, 1:40 p.m. Petr Firiulin of Samara, Russia who is in Kyiv on a business trip, told the Kyiv Post at the bottom of the steps near Independence Square that he would like for Ukraine to join the Customs Union with Russia. “We’re brotherly nations, to me Russia and Ukraine are one nation, our common history goes back to Kyivan-Rus (in the 10th century),” said Firiulin, 21. “Prospects are greater for joining the Customs Union, we (Russia) can live without Ukraine, but this will be bad,” he added. — Mark Rachkevych
Lviv students in Kyiv to stay
Nov. 27, 1:32 p.m. Andriy Olyinyk, a 22-year-old student from Lviv, came to Kyiv even though he said Ukraine’s road police stopped their chartered bus. Instead, they piled into two cars and two mini-buses. Altogether, he said that more than 50 students from his university came; his group numbered 28. They plan to stay until Ukraine signs an association agreement with the European Union. He said up to 30,000 students have been rallying in Lviv. –– Mark Rachkevych
Student crowd grows to 1,500 people
Nov. 27, 1:22 p.m. The crowd of university students gathering at Kyiv’s Shevchenko Park has grown to 1,500 students. They will march to Maidan Nezalezhnosti to join forces with EuroMaidan demonstrators. They are expected to participate until 2 p.m. or so and then return to their university courses. — Olena Goncharova
Opposition leaders declare unity, reject attempts to divide them
Nov. 27, 1:19 p.m. “Statement of opposition leaders: “Hundreds of thousands of our country’s citizens have joined together on European Square and Maidan Nezalzhnosti in Kyiv, on scores of other Euromaidans in other Ukrainian cities in order to support the concept of Ukraine’s European association. The squares and streets of our cities have become a common space of freedom in Ukraine, where everyone can express their opinions and demonstrate their own position on the actions of the Ukrainian authorities.
“Various people came out in support of Ukraine’s European integration – non-partisan and members of opposition political parties, with party flags and without them, entrepreneurs, students, young people and our honoured veterans , residents of the east and south, centre, north and west of Ukraine. The idea of European integration has symbolically united two iconic places of the capital – Independence Square, which is a symbol of Ukraine and European Square , which symbolises Europe in Ukraine. It is a symbol of unity for the sake of European integration.
“Today attempts are being made to divide us, but this tactic will not work. We are different – but we are united because we share one ideal – at the Eastern Partnership Vilnius summit President Viktor Yanukovych should sign the Association Agreement.
“We, politicians and community activists will jointly coordinate our actions and provide mutual support and protect those who have come out to support this ideal, and will issue daily reports on our plans. We express our sincere gratitude to public figures, writers, poets, musicians, journalists for their support and performances. We also thank the people of Kyiv for providing fantastic support to the rally with food, warm clothing, communication systems and so on.
“We appeal to residents and guests from other cities – come and stand on European Square and Maidan Nezalezhnosti, bring warm clothes and food, spread the message and report about what happens to those who do not have access to the Internet and objective information.
“We appeal to our supporters in other cities – takes to the streets of your cities, create your Euromaidans.
PDo not be indifferent! Ukraine’s destiny is in our hands!”
Chairman of the Political Council of the Association “Batkivschyna” Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Head of the UDAR Political Party Vitali Klitschko Head of “Svoboda” Oleh Tiahnybok and The Organising Committee #EuroMaidan — Christopher Miller
Fuele says that Tymoshenko’s freedom still on agenda
Nov. 27, 12:40 p.m. European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fuele said today that the issue of imprisoned ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and her release will not be removed from the agenda between the EU and Ukraine after the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Nov. 28-29. “Nobody will forget about this, the important question and our relationship clearly indicates that politically motivated justice is not consistent with the principles of building our partnerships,” Fuele said in an interview with Echo of Moscow.The European commissioner stressed that no matter the outcome at the summit in Vilnius, the EU will continue negotiations with Ukraine regarding the country’s need for reform in the areas of electoral law and selective justice. — Christopher J. Miller
Yulia Tymoshenko, on a hunger strike and in prison, celebrates 53rd birthday today
Nov. 27, 12:50 p.m. Friends, supporters and political allies of imprisoned ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko are wishing their hero a happy birthday today. She turns 53, but went on a hunger strike on Nov. 25 to protest President Viktor Yanukovych’s refusal to sign a political and free trade pact with the European Union. She is only drinking water, her daughter Eugenia Tymoshenko says. Her daughter and her lawyer, Serhiy Vlasenko, are in Kharkiv, the eastern Ukrainian city where she is imprisoned, to give greetings with a large bouquet of white roses. Near the prison hospital grounds, a huge banner will also be placed with her photo and the European Union flag in the background along with a floral arrangement of red roses, symbolizing the heard. People also gathered anc chanted “Happy Birthday,” according to her Batkivshchyna party press release. Member of parliament Arsen Avakov noted that this is the third birthday that Tymoshenko has been imprisoned and hopes for her freedom soon. Her release is one of the EU’s conditions for closer ties with Ukraine. The West and Russia consider her to be a political prisoner. —Daryna Shevchenko
EuroMaidan creates place for swapping books, periodicals
Nov. 27, 12:37 p.m. EuroMaidan protesters are getting creative. People can take or drop off books and periodicals at a box near the statue of the woman who symbolizes Ukrainian independence. EuroMaidan activist Tetyana Teren writes on her Facebook page. “On the last page of every edition I suggest to write ‘In Memory of Euro Maidan’ and maybe your facebook name if you want a new owner of your book to become your Facebook friend,” Teren added. Look for the latest issue of the Kyiv Post in the box soon. — Daryna Shevchenko
Students gather again at Shevchenko Park on way to Maidan Nezalezhnosti
Nov. 27, 12:34 p.m. Around 1, 000 students have gathered at Shevchenko Park and are now ready to march down to Maidan Nezalezhnosti. More students are expected to join the rally soon. –– Olena Goncharova
Maidan Nezalezhnosti is now center of EuroMaidan as protesters leave European Square
Nov. 27, 12:07 p.m. Egor Sobolev, a former journalist and social activist, says the mergers of two rallies was successful. “People help each other and stay cheerful,” he said in his comment to the Kyiv Post. EuroMaidan organizers are applying for permission to the Kyiv City Administration to get a new stage and sound system as well as some heating tents. However, a court ban for a tent rally at Maidan Nezalezhnosti is still in force. — Mariia Shamota
EuroMaidan protests moving off European Square, going to Maidan Nezalezhnosti
Nov. 27, 11:31 a.m. Now entering its seventh day, EuroMaidan organizers have confounded people by staging demonstrations in so many places. Counting the ongoing tent city protests on Khreshchatyk Street for imprisoned ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, there are three other protest centers — European Square, the Cabinet of Ministers and the traditional spot — Maidan Nezhalesnosti (Independence Square).
It looks like organizers have decided to consolidate positions. They are deconstructing the stage in front of Ukrainian House on European Square and say they are moving the staging area for demonstrations to Maidan Nezalezhnosti. — Mariia Shamota
Opposition leaders jump barricades at Cabinet of Ministers, but police block their entry
Nov. 27, 10:50 a.m. The nation’s three political opposition leaders — Arseniy Yatseniuk, Oleh Tyahnybok and Vitali Klitschko — jumped a police barricade in their attempt to get to a Cabinet of Ministers meeting under way inside, but their entrance was blocked. They had a few hundred supporters with them.
Another of the goals of the EuroMaidan protests has already failed: It was to force a special session of parliament today to pass laws needed for Ukraine to meet European Union conditions for signing a political association and trade agreement ahead of the Vilnius Summit that starts tomorrow. However, the nation’s three political opposition leaders aren’t quitting. The trio, who command about 200 votes in the 450-seat parliament, will be making the trip to Lithuania for the Nov. 28-29 summit to meet with EU leaders.
“They want to steal our hopes and future of Europe,” Yatseniuk said. “I don’t know what Azarov is doing here. He has nothing to do with Europe. Azarov alone made the decision with Yanukoyvch to cancel the pro-European decision.” He told police: “Don’t worry. We’ll find a way inside the Cabinet building. There are many entrances.” — Mark Rachkevych
Protesters come to Cabinet; police are prepared
Nov. 27, 10:08 a.m. A group of protesters up to several hundred people came to Ukraine’s Cabinet Of Ministers building at Hrushevskogo Street, all of them holding opposition parties’ flags. A dozen of police buses are parked right near the Cabinet’s main entrance, with several hundreds of riot police officers and young men in sportswear hide behind them, obviously waiting for something to happen. Another 100 riot police officers wait at Sadova Street close to the Cabinet. — Maria Shamota
‘Pro-European’ police just want to have a look
Nov. 27, 12:08 a.m. A group of riot police recently left Maidan Nezalezhnosti after watching demonstrators. One of their supervisors said he just “wanted to let the boys take a look as I’m pro-European too.” – Vlad Lavrov
