Yanukovich, opposition sign peace deal in bid to end violence in Kiev
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Ukraine opposition leaders yesterday signed an EU-mediated peace deal with President Viktor Yanukovich, aiming to end a violent standoff that has left dozens dead and opening the way for an early presidential election this year.
Russian-backed Yanukovich — under pressure to quit from the mass demonstrations in Kiev — earlier offered a series of concessions to his pro-European opponents, including a national unity government and constitutional change to reduce his powers, as well as the presidential vote.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the deal provided for the creation of a national unity government and an early presidential election this year, although no date had been set. The vote had been due in March 2015.
One of the European Union mediators, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, described the agreement as a “good compromise for Ukraine.” In a post on Twitter, he said it “gives peace a chance. Opens the way for reform and to Europe.”
With Ukraine caught in a geopolitical tug-of-war between Russia and the EU, at least 77 people have been killed this week in the worst violence since the independent country emerged from the wreckage of the Soviet Union in 1991.
“There are no steps that we should not take to restore peace in Ukraine,” Yanukovich said when announcing his concessions before the deal was signed.
“I announce that I am initiating early elections.”
Yanukovich said Ukraine would revert to a previous constitution under which parliament had greater control over the makeup of the government, including the prime minister.
“I am also starting the process of a return to the 2004 constitution with a rebalancing of powers toward a parliamentary republic,” he said.
“I call for the start of procedures for forming a government of national unity.”
The German and Polish foreign ministers were in Kiev to promote the political compromise to end the bloodshed amid a standoff between riot police and anti-government protesters who have occupied the central square for nearly three months.
Before the deal was signed, armed police briefly entered the parliament building while lawmakers were holding an emergency session but they were quickly ejected, opposition leader Arseny Yatsenyuk said. Members exchanged punches when speaker Volodymyr Rybak tried to adjourn proceedings.
Opposition deputies were angered because it would mean delaying a possible vote on a resolution pressing for constitutional changes to restrict the president’s powers. The speaker left the chamber and debate continued.
In another sign of the severity of the crisis, ratings agency Standard & Poor’s yesterday cut Ukraine’s credit rating for the second time in three weeks, citing an increased risk of default. It said the latest developments in the crisis made it less likely that Ukraine would receive desperately needed Russian aid.
Ukraine canceled a planned issue of five-year eurobonds worth US$2 billion, it told the Irish Stock Exchange where the debt would have been listed. Kiev had hoped Russia would buy the bonds.
Russia said it was undecided on the next US$2 billion installment and was awaiting clarity on the government in Ukraine.
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