Newsletter 2014/01/24 – On the Offensive
KIEV/BERLIN (Own report) – Following the escalation of the violent
protests in Kiev, Berlin’s favorite, Vitaly Klitschko, is threatening
to launch a new “offensive” against the government. The offensive
would begin, Klitschko announced on Wednesday, should President
Yanukovych not resign by yesterday evening. The deadline passed
without resignation. Tensions are rising. German Foreign Minister
Frank-Walter Steinmeier has “various contacts” within the Ukrainian
opposition, explained Chancellor Merkel, mounting pressure on the
Ukrainian government by demanding that the government protect “the
freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.” Last weekend’s surge in
violence – which preceded the brutal police repression – was sparked
by ultra rightwing activists, who had been participating in the
“Euromaidan” protests from the very beginning and who, according to
observers, are winning growing acceptance. “Progressive activists”
have to fight “on two fronts” in Kiev today: “against the regime that
supports police violence” but also “against extremist nationalism.”
Ultra rightwing leaders are already threatening civil war.
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