Ten thousand pro-Europe supporters in Kyiv demand the Ukrainian president's resignation
- 11 years ago
By the end of Friday, there were nearly 10,000 pro-Europe supporters in Kyiv ‘s main square.
Nine years ago in the same square, the Orange Revolution thwarted Yanukovich’s first presidential bid.
Today, Yanukovich’s decision to walk away from the EU Association Agreement has swelled the square once again.
The crowd want him out. “Coward! Coward!” they called him for not signing the EU deal, preferring closer ties with Ukraine’s former Soviet master and dealing a blow to EU efforts to build closer relations with its eastern neighbours.
One pro-EU supporter told euronews: “We have already gathered here, we’ve spent so much time here, the world has seen we can be a real power. Nobody believed that after the Orange revolution we could do something together, but we did it! We showed them that we are strong!” he said.
Another Ukrainian citizen said: “My heart bleeds. From the very beginning when Ukrainian President began to play with Europe, I knew – he would not dare to raise his hand and sign the Agreement! He’s not interested in implementing European laws!”
The protesters are demanding the resignation of the cabinet and the president who, they say “has betrayed Ukrainian society and broke all the promises he made.”
Nine years ago in the same square, the Orange Revolution thwarted Yanukovich’s first presidential bid.
Today, Yanukovich’s decision to walk away from the EU Association Agreement has swelled the square once again.
The crowd want him out. “Coward! Coward!” they called him for not signing the EU deal, preferring closer ties with Ukraine’s former Soviet master and dealing a blow to EU efforts to build closer relations with its eastern neighbours.
One pro-EU supporter told euronews: “We have already gathered here, we’ve spent so much time here, the world has seen we can be a real power. Nobody believed that after the Orange revolution we could do something together, but we did it! We showed them that we are strong!” he said.
Another Ukrainian citizen said: “My heart bleeds. From the very beginning when Ukrainian President began to play with Europe, I knew – he would not dare to raise his hand and sign the Agreement! He’s not interested in implementing European laws!”
The protesters are demanding the resignation of the cabinet and the president who, they say “has betrayed Ukrainian society and broke all the promises he made.”