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December 12, 2013

Ukraine Protesters Reject Talks With President; U.S. Mulls Sanctions 
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Opposition leaders are refusing to meet with Ukraine President Viktor
Yanukovych in the aftermath of an intensified crackdown, demanding his
resignation. Dozens of people were wounded on Wednesday when riot police
stormed a large protest encampment in Kiev. The officers eventually
withdrew after demonstrators refused to leave and ultimately grew in
size. Yanukovych has faced weeks of protest over his decision to
strengthen ties with Russia over the European Union. In Washington,
White House and State Department officials said the United States is
considering sanctions on Ukraine.

White House spokesperson Josh Earnest: "The United States was appalled
last night by what happened in Kiev. The Ukrainian government's response
to peaceful protests over the last two weeks has been completely
unacceptable and its difficult to understand why they decided to move
against their own people repeatedly with force rather than engage in
real dialogue with the opposition."

State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki: "All policy options, including
sanctions are on the table in our view, but obviously that is still
being evaluated."

 

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