The heads of Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) and the Interior Ministry called on the leaders of the opposition to calm down protesters and return to the negotiating table, giving them two hours.
This joint statement, released on Thursday, 18 February, maintains that “the extremists from the opposition have crossed the line: they are killing innocent people on the streets of the capital, torturing women, burning and exploding buildings and cars.”
The SBU states that chaos is ensuing in the center of Kyiv and that the “leaders of the opposition are choreographing these crimes over the phone.”
“We cannot allow further escalation of the conflict. Ordinary citizens are calling on the authorities to establish order and return stability and peace to Ukraine,” the statement says.
The SBU and the Interior Ministry called upon the leaders of the opposition to urgently calm down the protesters, end the armed stand-off, and return to the negotiating table.
These power structures also warned that they will be “forced to resort to harsh methods if the disorder continues. We give the perpetrators of the disorder exactly one hour. In the disorder does not cease by 6:00 p.m., we will be forced to bring order by any means necessary within the law.”
Translated by Mariana Budjeryn
Edited by Robin Rohrback
