If reports are to be believed, a truce has been declared between the Ukrainian government and anti-government protesters. This news comes just after a majorly violent clash, the worst seen in the country since Ukraine first broke away from the Soviet Union.
The recent attempt by Ukrainian police forces to clear the main protester stronghold in Kiev resulted in at least 26 deaths and hundreds of injuries.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych stated that the government and leaders of opposition forces are working together to find a common solution that will end the violence.
While the details of the truce remain unknown, opposition leader Vitali Klitschko has said that the agreement means that security forces will not be marching on the protesters’ main encampment in the capital city.
The protesters in have been camped out in Kiev for months, following a startling decision made by Yanukovych in late November of last year. The Ukrainian president chose to walk away from trade agreements with the European Union and instead embrace strengthening ties with neighboring Russia.
After one night of fighting in Kiev #ukraineprotests pic.twitter.com/jcpkDYS1bu
— E (@Ohrtly) February 19, 2014
The move has been lambasted by a number of Ukrainian citizens, mainly in Western Ukraine. These citizens view Yanukovych as a traitor to the interests of the nation and a puppet for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Ukrainian economy has been in trouble for some time, and the violent clashes with protesters has not done much to improve the nation’s standing in the world. Western nations are already preparing to sanction the troubled country. This may include a move by the EU to freeze the assets of the most powerful Ukrainian officials.
The unrest has spread throughout much of Western Ukraine, as anti-government protesters have tried to find a way to force Yanukovych out of office.
As for the current truce, there’s no telling how long it will last as Ukraine’s economic woes continue.
Image via Wikimedia Commons
