Anti-government protests in Ukraine show no sign of coming to an end. US slugs it out with Russia .

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Anti-government protests in Ukraine show no sign of coming to an end. US slugs it out with Russia .

Ukraine unrest: EU and US clash with Russia in Munich

Anti-government protests in Ukraine show no sign of coming to an end

European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said the "future of Ukraine belongs with the EU" while US Secretary of State John Kerry said the US backed Ukraine's "fight for democracy".
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Western countries of double standards over violent protests.
Ukraine has been in turmoil since November, when it scrapped an EU accord in favour of a Russian bailout.
'Time on our side'
The security conference is an annual event held to discuss military and political affairs.
Mr Van Rompuy's opening speech referred to the EU's offer of close association with Ukraine.
"The offer is still there and we know time is on our side. The future of Ukraine belongs with the European Union," he said.
Mr Kerry launched a broad attack on "a disturbing trend in too many parts of Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans".
He said: "The aspirations of citizens are once again being trampled beneath corrupt, oligarchic interests - interests that use money to stifle political opposition and dissent, to buy politicians and media outlets, and to weaken judicial independence."

Mr Kerry added: "Nowhere is the fight for a democratic, European future more important today than in Ukraine. The United States and EU stand with the people of Ukraine in that fight."

He said the "vast majority of Ukrainians want to live freely in a safe and prosperous country - they are fighting for the right to associate with partners who will help them realise their aspirations".
In an apparent swipe at Moscow, he added that "their futures do not have to lie with one country alone, and certainly not coerced".
Mr Lavrov said that a "choice is being imposed [on Ukraine] and Russia is not going to be engaged in this".
He asked: "What does incitement of violent street protests have to do with the promotion of democracy? Why do we not hear condemnation of those who seize government buildings and attack police and use racist, anti-Semitic and Nazi slogans?"

John Kerry had harsh words for corruption in eastern Europe and the Balkans

US slugs it out with Russia over Ukraine

Updated: 11:24, Sunday February 2, 2014

The United States has traded barbs with Russia over Ukraine's future as key opposition figures met US Secretary of State John Kerry amid concerns that Kiev could call in the military to end anti-government protests.
Neither side pulled any punches on Saturday, with Kerry saying that what happens in Ukraine is crucial for Europe's future while his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov blasted what he called wilful and two-faced Western interference.
'Nowhere is the fight for a democratic, European future more important today than in Ukraine,' Kerry told political, diplomatic and military leaders at the Munich Security Conference.
'The United States and EU stand with the people of Ukraine in that fight,' said Kerry, who met later Saturday with Ukrainian opposition leaders including former world boxing champion Vitali Klitschko in Munich.
Kerry said Ukrainians 'are fighting for the right to associate with partners who will help them realise their aspirations - and they have decided that means their futures do not have to lie with one country alone, and certainly not coerced.'

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