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Viktor Yanukovych calls off Malta visit
Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych cancels state visit to Malta amid growing pressures over violent crackdown on Ukrainian opposition.
6 December 2013, 12:00am
Jurgen Balzan
Jurgen Balzan
2 min read
Ukranian President Viktor Yanukovych.
International news agancy Reuters have reported that Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych called off the state visit to Malta planned for Monday. The Maltese government confirmed that the visit was cancelled by the Ukrainian government.
The Ukrainian presidential website said in a statement on Friday that Yanukovych postponed the scheduled visit to Malta citing his need "to focus on domestic political issues."
MaltaToday has learnt that yesterday the Maltese government informed the Ukraine that Yanukovych would not have been granted the official honours reserved for visiting Presidents and statesmen by the Maltese government.
Meanwhile, in a meeting with Speaker Anglu Farrugia the Ukrainian ambassador to Malta, Yevhen Perelygin insisted that his country still intended to sign the trade deal with the EU.
He added that the Ukrainian government "accepted" the people's right to protest on anything it opposed, "this should be done in a peaceful and non-violent way."
Yanukovich, who finished a four-day visit to China on Friday and was reported to be heading for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi, faces turmoil in Kiev over his government's suspension of a landmark trade pact with the European Union.
Yanukovich's visit to Malta was set to be the first in a EU member state since Ukraine froze the signing of a co-operation agreement with the European Union.
Last month, Yanukovych's government abruptly halted preparations to sign the key political and economic agreement with the EU and focus on ties with Russia instead. Russia has used strong economic pressure to derail the deal, unwilling to lose the former part of its empire to the West.
Massive rallies have continued in the Ukraine while the government warned of its capability of using force against protesters after the opposition lost a vote aimed at taking down the ruling party.
Prime Minister Mykola Azarov on Tuesday made it clear that the government would not shy away from preventing the rising demonstrations by force.
"We have extended our hand to you, but if we encounter a fist, I will be frank, we have enough force," he said.
The renewed protests came after the opposition lost an attempt on Tuesday to topple the government by parliamentary means when a vote of no-confidence failed by a sizable margin.
Opposition members shouted "shame" and "revolution" as pro-government lawmakers spoke, while opposition speakers drew boos and jeer.
The no-confidence measure received 40 votes shy of the majority needed.
Even if it had passed, President Viktor Yanukovych would have remained president, but the prime minister and Cabinet would have been ejected.
Jurgen Balzan was a MaltaToday reported from 2011 to 2017.
•
Dear MaltaToday editors,
Is it possible to publish some actual news regarding todays huge protests in Ukraine?
At least you can use references to other media, i.e. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/
•
Dear MaltaToday editors,
Is it possible to publish some actual news regarding todays huge protests in Ukraine?
At least you can use references to other media, i.e. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/
•
Dear MaltaToday editors,
Is it possible to publish some actual news regarding todays huge protests in Ukraine?
At least you can use references to other media, i.e. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/
•
Dear MaltaToday editors,
Is it possible to publish some actual news regarding todays huge protests in Ukraine?
At least you can use references to other media, i.e. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/
•
Dear MaltaToday editors,
Is it possible to publish some actual news regarding todays huge protests in Ukraine?
At least you can use references to other media, i.e. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/
•
Dear MaltaToday editors,
Is it possible to publish some actual news regarding todays huge protests in Ukraine?
At least you can use references to other media, i.e. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/
•
Dear MaltaToday editors,
Is it possible to publish some actual news regarding todays huge protests in Ukraine?
At least you can use references to other media, i.e. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/
•
BRAVO MALTA FOR SUPPORT FOR UKRAINIAN PEOPLE!!!! THANK YOU!!!
•
Few lines from Twiter of Edward Lucas
@edwardlucas,Senior editor TheEconomis
Edward Lucas @edwardlucas 6 Dec
Cash for Yanukovych may be up to $15BN
Edward Lucas @edwardlucas 6 Dec
Expect much grandstanding from Putin over this & v angry reaction (poss crackdown, state of emergency) in Ukraine
Edward Lucas @edwardlucas 6 Dec
Technical details being hammered out in Moscow. Western govts flummoxed. (Haven't confirmed this but sources good)
Edward Lucas @edwardlucas 6 Dec
Wow! Hearing Yanukovich in Sochi today signed strategic agrt w Russia includes $5BN+ up front, gas price $200 + agrt to join customs union
•
Few lines from Twiter of Edward Lucas
@edwardlucas,Senior editor TheEconomis
Edward Lucas @edwardlucas 6 Dec
Cash for Yanukovych may be up to $15BN
Edward Lucas @edwardlucas 6 Dec
Expect much grandstanding from Putin over this & v angry reaction (poss crackdown, state of emergency) in Ukraine
Edward Lucas @edwardlucas 6 Dec
Technical details being hammered out in Moscow. Western govts flummoxed. (Haven't confirmed this but sources good)
Edward Lucas @edwardlucas 6 Dec
Wow! Hearing Yanukovich in Sochi today signed strategic agrt w Russia includes $5BN+ up front, gas price $200 + agrt to join customs union
•
Euro revolution in Ukraine
In the recent year Ukraine has been actively discussing it’s future. From one side, countries constitution and majority of Ukrainians are supporting the European future of the country. On the other side, there is the possibility to join Customs Union that is strongly advocated by Russia. Situation was expected to resolve during Vilnius summit on November 29 where Yanukovich(President of Ukraine) should have signed the association agreement with EU declaring firmly Ukraine’s future intentions to join EU.
Couple of the days prior to the summit he had stated that it is very unlikely that he will sign the association agreement with EU in Vilnius. Political experts rationalize his decision by two factors:
· One of the conditions of the association was to release all countries political prisoners including the ex-prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko. Releasing his main political opponent from jail is impossible for Yanukovich, as this would strengthen the opposition and cast a big shadow in the upcoming 2015 presidential elections.
· Another issue was the constant pressure from Russia. Yanukovich was making constant visits to Moscow in order to discuss Ukranian future with Putin, last meeting occurred behind closed doors so no one knows what was said during the meeting. Experts have said that Putin promised Yanukovich financial support and full support for the upcoming presidential elections. Next visit will occur on December 6.
It is believed that these two main reasons have caused a sudden turn in the foreign policy of Ukraine.
As soon as Yanukovich announced his decision not to join EU his political opposition started to organize protests in order to show where countries interests are. Protests were slowly escalating towards the Vilnius summit, people were still hoping that the president would listen to them and sign the agreement.
On November 29 in Vilnius Yanukovich did not sign the association agreement with EU, as a result people took to the streets to protest. In Kiev around 200’000 went out to protest, at the same time large protest were seen in the West of the country. Protesters demands were simple, they wanted a European future for themselves and their children. Overall the protests were peaceful, the main idea was to show what do the people of Ukraine truly want.
Situation seemed to have calm down at night on November 30 after the protest. Majority of people were not protesting and went back to their homes, while 2’000 people remained on the streets of Kiev. A sudden turn of events occurred around 4:00am in the morning, riot police had brutally cleaned out around 500 people that were protesting on the independence square. During the operation it was not only the protesters that got beaten, but even the journalists that were trying to film what was happening. The police had explained such actions by the fact that they needed to put in place a Christmas tree.
On the same day (November 30) a public outrage had occurred after people had realized what has happened last night. Some say that there were 800’000 people in the center of Kiev protesting. During the protests on November 30 people took back the square that the police cleaned out last night. Demands had suddenly changed, people were still demanding an EU future but without the current president and without the current cabinet of ministries. 29 major cities all around Ukraine had joined the revolution. The protesters were also joined by EU countries diplomats. During the protests majority of people were very peaceful, yet there were a couple of people wearing masks and carrying sticks. These people were labeled as provocateurs, they were acting very aggressively in order to provoke the police for action, evidence has shown that it was the government that organize these hooligans in order to provoke the police and declare an emergency state. During the protests people were asking the provocateurs to stop, and as footage had shown the police was instructed to help these provocateurs in their actions.
During last week the situation has been stable in Kiev. Thousands of peaceful protesters have been protesting in center of Kiev, barricading the whole city center to make sure that the riot police can not clean them out as easily as last time at the same time checking who is entering the center to avoid further provocations. The cabinet of ministry is completely blocked by the protestors. While the parliament has not been working properly. Other cities in Ukraine are also protesting, while some have announced a regional strike.
The main reason why Yanukovich has ended up in this position is mainly thanks to his uncertain foreign affairs and domestic policies. Ever since Ynukovich became president corruption has risen, crime has gone up, while courts and police have no trust from people of Ukraine. In terms of his foreign policy he seems to be trying to smile to Customs Union and EU at the same time, while forgetting about the people of Ukraine. He was elected to bring Russia closer to Ukraine while keeping an EU vector for Ukraine, which he seems to be unable to do. Since he has been elected relationship with Europe has been getting worse, while relationship with Russia has not improved. In order to calm down the protestors Yanukovich has resumed talks with EU, experts explain this by a need to decrease national tension, as soon as protests stop it is certain that Ukraine will join Customs Union neglecting the wants of his country. Joining Customs Union allows Yanukovich to maintain his dictatorial powers over Ukraine as Russia has not been known to be a strong advocate of democratic values. Ukrainians are not satisfied with the fact that talks are resumed and state that they no longer trust their president who doesn’t respect the constitution and want a complete reload of their governmental body. The opposition is promising to organize a million people protest this Sunday at Yanukoviches luxury residence outside Kiev. To be continued…
•
Euro revolution in Ukraine
In the recent year Ukraine has been actively discussing it’s future. From one side, countries constitution and majority of Ukrainians are supporting the European future of the country. On the other side, there is the possibility to join Customs Union that is strongly advocated by Russia. Situation was expected to resolve during Vilnius summit on November 29 where Yanukovich(President of Ukraine) should have signed the association agreement with EU declaring firmly Ukraine’s future intentions to join EU.
Couple of the days prior to the summit he had stated that it is very unlikely that he will sign the association agreement with EU in Vilnius. Political experts rationalize his decision by two factors:
· One of the conditions of the association was to release all countries political prisoners including the ex-prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko. Releasing his main political opponent from jail is impossible for Yanukovich, as this would strengthen the opposition and cast a big shadow in the upcoming 2015 presidential elections.
· Another issue was the constant pressure from Russia. Yanukovich was making constant visits to Moscow in order to discuss Ukranian future with Putin, last meeting occurred behind closed doors so no one knows what was said during the meeting. Experts have said that Putin promised Yanukovich financial support and full support for the upcoming presidential elections. Next visit will occur on December 6.
It is believed that these two main reasons have caused a sudden turn in the foreign policy of Ukraine.
As soon as Yanukovich announced his decision not to join EU his political opposition started to organize protests in order to show where countries interests are. Protests were slowly escalating towards the Vilnius summit, people were still hoping that the president would listen to them and sign the agreement.
On November 29 in Vilnius Yanukovich did not sign the association agreement with EU, as a result people took to the streets to protest. In Kiev around 200’000 went out to protest, at the same time large protest were seen in the West of the country. Protesters demands were simple, they wanted a European future for themselves and their children. Overall the protests were peaceful, the main idea was to show what do the people of Ukraine truly want.
Situation seemed to have calm down at night on November 30 after the protest. Majority of people were not protesting and went back to their homes, while 2’000 people remained on the streets of Kiev. A sudden turn of events occurred around 4:00am in the morning, riot police had brutally cleaned out around 500 people that were protesting on the independence square. During the operation it was not only the protesters that got beaten, but even the journalists that were trying to film what was happening. The police had explained such actions by the fact that they needed to put in place a Christmas tree.
On the same day (November 30) a public outrage had occurred after people had realized what has happened last night. Some say that there were 800’000 people in the center of Kiev protesting. During the protests on November 30 people took back the square that the police cleaned out last night. Demands had suddenly changed, people were still demanding an EU future but without the current president and without the current cabinet of ministries. 29 major cities all around Ukraine had joined the revolution. The protesters were also joined by EU countries diplomats. During the protests majority of people were very peaceful, yet there were a couple of people wearing masks and carrying sticks. These people were labeled as provocateurs, they were acting very aggressively in order to provoke the police for action, evidence has shown that it was the government that organize these hooligans in order to provoke the police and declare an emergency state. During the protests people were asking the provocateurs to stop, and as footage had shown the police was instructed to help these provocateurs in their actions.
During last week the situation has been stable in Kiev. Thousands of peaceful protesters have been protesting in center of Kiev, barricading the whole city center to make sure that the riot police can not clean them out as easily as last time at the same time checking who is entering the center to avoid further provocations. The cabinet of ministry is completely blocked by the protestors. While the parliament has not been working properly. Other cities in Ukraine are also protesting, while some have announced a regional strike.
The main reason why Yanukovich has ended up in this position is mainly thanks to his uncertain foreign affairs and domestic policies. Ever since Ynukovich became president corruption has risen, crime has gone up, while courts and police have no trust from people of Ukraine. In terms of his foreign policy he seems to be trying to smile to Customs Union and EU at the same time, while forgetting about the people of Ukraine. He was elected to bring Russia closer to Ukraine while keeping an EU vector for Ukraine, which he seems to be unable to do. Since he has been elected relationship with Europe has been getting worse, while relationship with Russia has not improved. In order to calm down the protestors Yanukovich has resumed talks with EU, experts explain this by a need to decrease national tension, as soon as protests stop it is certain that Ukraine will join Customs Union neglecting the wants of his country. Joining Customs Union allows Yanukovich to maintain his dictatorial powers over Ukraine as Russia has not been known to be a strong advocate of democratic values. Ukrainians are not satisfied with the fact that talks are resumed and state that they no longer trust their president who doesn’t respect the constitution and want a complete reload of their governmental body. The opposition is promising to organize a million people protest this Sunday at Yanukoviches luxury residence outside Kiev. To be continued…
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Bravo Malta. This is the first, but probably not the last slap in Yanukovich face!
•
Bravo Malta. This is the first, but probably not the last slap in Yanukovich face!
•
Bravo Malta. This is the first, but probably not the last slap in Yanukovich face!
•
Bravo Malta. This is the first, but probably not the last slap in Yanukovich face!
•
Bravo Malta. This is the first, but probably not the last slap in Yanukovich face!
•
Bravo Malta. This is the first, but probably not the last slap in Yanukovich face!
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Hasra ghax Busuttil qal li se jghatih hasla, lol.
