Anti-government protesters were pouring into Kyiv on Wednesday after clashes with riot police claimed their first fatalities, prompting international expressions of alarm as a two-month-old standoff entered a violent and unpredictable new phase.
The deaths of up to five protesters after weeks of peaceful demonstrations against President Viktor Yanukovych risked inflaming the crisis still further. Analysts warned the clashes could escalate into full-blown street battles in the Ukrainian capital.
Addressing tens of thousands of demonstrators who flocked to Kyiv’s central square on Wednesday night, Vitali Klitschko, the boxer turned opposition leader, said Mr Yanukovych had not responded to opposition demands during three hours of crisis talks.
“You have enough levers to solve this issue,” he said, addressing the president. “Call snap elections. Listen to the people. Resolve this situation. If you do not listen to the people, they will do everything to make you listen to them.”
Read entire story here.
