(Vatican Radio)-- A tense calm has returned to the streets of Ukraine's capital Kyiv
after hours of talks between the opposition and President Viktor Yanukovich on how
to end a crisis that has killed at least three protesters. Braving freezing temperatures,
thousands of protesters were weighting their options amid confusion if and when the
president would meet their demands for early elections, closer ties with the European
Union, and more freedom in this former Soviet nation. Listen to this report
from Stefan Bos:
After four
hours of negotiations with President Yanukovych, ex-economy minister and current opposition
leader of the Fatherland party, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, said there was a "high" chance
of finding a solution to end the bloodshed.
Yet, the influential heavyweight
boxing champion-turned opposition leader Vitali Klitscko appeared less optimistic
when talking to reporters.
"This was not easy. We have some agreement, but
let's see whether the people will accept that or not," Klitschko said. He later told
the crowds that the president had made no concessions during the talks. "I had the
same reaction," he said, while protesters began shouting slogans that include "shame!
shame!"
Anger has been fuelled by recent street battles between demonstrators
and riot police in which at least three protesters are now known to have died. Two
of them passed away
of bullet wounds.
However Prime Minister Mykola
Azarov has accused the opposition of wanting to take over power by force.
"I
call this an attempt for a coup d'etat," he said in an interview. "Our EU partners
should say the same. What would they do in their country if the presidential residence
is being attacked? Church leaders have appealed for prayers, while some Christian
groups distributed Bibles among protesters. Priests of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic
Church are also praying with demonstrators, despite threats by the government to outlaw
their denomination.