today, At least 26 reported dead in most violent day of clashes in Kyiv

today, At least 26 reported dead in most violent day of clashes in Kyiv

At least 26 people have been killed in clashes between antigovernment protesters and police that erupted on Feb. 18 in Kyiv, including seven policemen killed by gun fire.

Opposition leaders Vitali Klitschko and Arseniy Yatsenyuk met with Yanukovych early on February 19, still the negotiations ended with no solution to the crisis.

Yanukovych refused to pull back riot police massed against thousands of protesters in Independence Square, saying he wanted Kyiv’s protest camp cleared, RFE/RL reports.

“I am very unhappy because it was no discussion and the president doesn’t want to listen to the opposition. But right now it’s very important to make a break and not fight any more,” Klitschko said.

The recent violence erupted after protesters demanding constitutional reforms to curb Yanukovych’s powers broke through a police cordon outside Ukrainian Parliament.

The rally turned violent after demonstrators threw stones and fireworks at policemen, who fired rubber bullets and tear gas.

QHA