Tensions continue to rise in Ukraine, where after months of anti-government protests three eastern regions have declared themselves independent republics and asked to join Russia. Several weeks ago, Crimea voted to separate from Ukraine and asked to join Russia, and over the weekend Donetsk and Luhansk followed suit. Both Ukraine and much of the Western world have contested the regions’ right to vote for self-rule and establish themselves as sovereign nations; however, such disputes have had little effect on the pro-Russian separatist movement’s growth.
Protests in Kiev, Ukraine, January 2014 Image: Sasha Maksymenko |
Protests in Kiev, Ukraine, January 2014 Image: Sasha Maksymenko |
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claims Ukraine is on
the brink of “civil war,” which may very well be true. Oleksandr Turchynov, who
is serving as Ukraine’s interim president, said that the government would be
open to dialogue with anyone except “those who with weapons in their hand try
to wage war on their own country.” However, the meeting on Wednesday did not
include any rebel leaders. Some suggested holding the next roundtable in
Donetsk, but many are concerned about the security risks of venturing into a
pro-separatist region.
On the other hand, separatist leaders are unwilling to
venture into Kiev, where they will likely face legal ramifications. “We haven’t
received any offers to join a round table and dialogue,” said
one insurgent leader in Donetsk, Denis Pushilin. “If the authorities in
Kiev want a dialogue, they must come here. If we go to Kiev, they will arrest
us.”
But some officials are arguing that the dialogues must
somehow include separatist representatives. Nestor Shufrych of the Party of
Regions argued that, “Without their participation, the roundtables will just be
declarative.”
The seventh week of the 24/7 Ukrainian protests outside London's Downing Street. Image: Jordan Busson |
Meanwhile, clashes continue, with several incidents of
violence already reported.
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