(Vatican Radio) Violence flared again in Kiev as Ukraine's presidency said Friday
that it had negotiated an international deal intended to end battles between police
and protesters that have killed scores and injured hundreds of people. The pact
was brokered by three EU foreign ministers to resolve the country's political crisis.
But French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, who was involved in the talks, said
he would be "cautious" about announcing any deal. On Thursday, in the bloodiest
day of violence in Kiev since the unrest erupted at least 70 protesters were killed
and hundreds were wounded in clashes with police.
The protests first started
in November when President Viktor Yanukovych rejected a landmark association and trade
deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia.
Speaking to Lydia O’Kane
about the situation, the Executive Director of Caritas Ukraine Andrij Waskowycz said
they have been helping to provide medical assistance. “We tried to support the medical
structures which immediately helped the injured people yesterday when the people were
shoot. It was a very black day for Ukraine, it was the worst day in newer Ukranian
history since the country gained its independence because people were absolutely in
cold blood killed by the special police forces.”
With diplomatic efforts to
end the current crisis underway, Mr Waskowycz says “we are seeing this great hope
that there is the possibility to come back to a peaceful resolution, a peaceful solution
to the crisis in Ukraine.” Listen to Lydia O’Kane’s interview with Andrij Waskowycz