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Over the past few days, anti-government protests in Ukraine have hit a fever pitch. Now, the
European Union is stepping in, and the U.S. looks like it won't be far behind.
"It's absolutely clear that this violence is completely unacceptable and should stop
immediately. ... We decided as a matter of urgency, we needed to look at targeted sanctions."
What began as peaceful anti-government protests in November have escalated into a string of
violent conflicts between police and demonstrators. We still don't know exact casualty numbers,
but the BBC estimates almost 70 people have been killed and hundreds wounded in Kiev since
the fighting began. (Via ITV)
Early Wednesday, Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych announced his government had brokered
a temporary truce with opposition leaders, briefly raising hopes that a diplomatic end
to the standoff could be in sight.
Those hopes were dashed when police and protesters resumed fighting early Thursday, in what has
become by far the bloodiest day in these protests. Both police and protesters have started using
live rounds, and at least 21 people were killed after police snipers entered the fray. (Via
Euronews, MSNBC)
The E.U. responded to Thursday's violence by leveling sanctions against Ukraine, freezing
some of the country's trade assets and banning travel visas of "those responsible for human
rights violations, violence and use of excessive force."
And while the U.S. has yet to act, similar sanctions are expected soon. On Wednesday,
President Obama said, "Along with our European partners and the international community,
there will be consequences if people step over the line." (Via The White House)
The sanctions attracted immediate criticism from Russia's foreign minister Sergey Lavrov
who accused Europe of willfully overlooking violence committed by the demonstrators. (Via
RT)
"Everyone in Europe and the U.S. put all the blame on the government of Ukraine, and they
do not condemn as they should the actions of the extremists. We are very troubled by
all that, because the double standards are obvious." (Via Channel 4)
And CNN's Fareed Zakaria points out if the U.S. sanctions Ukraine's already struggling
economy, "the danger is it will only push the Ukrainians closer to Russia."
Poland's prime minister told The New York Times Thursday there were some signs that
President Yanukovych would concede to protester's calls for an early election, but publicly
both the government and the opposition have been skeptical of reaching a deal anytime
soon.