Ukraine: Thousands gather for opposition rally in Kyiv
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 5 January 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Ukraine: Thousands gather for opposition rally in Kyiv, 5 January 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/52e65ac4b.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
January 05, 2014
About 10,000 people have gathered in Kyiv's Independence Square for the first major opposition protest rally of the new year.
The massive protests in Kyiv's main square were triggered by President Viktor Yanukovych's decision in late November to shelve a deal on closer ties with the European Union.
At the January 5 event, opposition leaders urged their supporters to continue the protests after public holidays this week to celebrate the Orthodox Christmas.
Protesters have also camped out since late November on Independence Square, where they have erected makeshift barricades.
Yanukovych's decision was taken under apparent pressure from Russia, which later offered Ukraine $15 billion in loans and slashed the price Ukraine pays for Russian natural-gas imports.
Based on reporting by AFP and RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service
Link to original story on RFE/RL website