Eurasia Press & News
Ukrainian police Thursday gave demonstrators five days to leave public buildings they have occupied in protest against a government policy lurch back toward Russia, as ministers at a European security conference urged a peaceful end to the confrontation.
Prime Minister Mykola Azarov defended his government’s handling of the crisis since Kiev walked away from a trade deal with the European Union, and clashed with Germany’s foreign minister over charges that police had used excessive force against the protesters.
“Nazis, extremists and criminals cannot be, in any way, our partners in ‘eurointegration,’” the government website quoted Azarov as telling Germany’s Guido Westerwelle, referring to protesters who have blockaded the main government offices and occupied other public buildings.
