Ukraine president, Kyiv protest leaders agree to truce
Ukraine’s president and the leaders of opposition protests convulsing the capital agreed late Wednesday on a truce, after the deadliest fighting in nearly three months left at least 26 dead and hundreds of others wounded.
A statement on the website of President Viktor Yanukovych announced the truce, saying it is aimed at “ending the bloodshed and stabilizing the situation…in the interests of social peace.” It did not provide details.
The Ukraine-Interfax news agency, however, quotes opposition leader Vitali Klitschko as saying he has been assured there will be no further government attempts to storm the huge protest encampment in central Kyiv.
The truce announcement comes less than a day after riot police swarmed the makeshift camp, triggering hours of fighting and widespread condemnation from Western capitals.
Police and opposition representatives said many of the dead were killed by gunshots. Dozens of the injured were reported in serious condition. Nine of the dead were police officers.
