Raman Jakauleuski: By using force, Yanukovich only complicates his life

In order to peacefully settle the Ukrainian conflict, mediators, who will be trusted both by opposition and by the authorities, are required.

Maidan suffered first losses. However, the regime of Yanukovich doesn’t seem to stop at that point. Armored troop carriers have appeared in Kiev, and the authorities gave green light to “Berkut” fighters. The meeting between the three opposition leaders and Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich, which took place on January 22, cannot be called negotiations; likewise the bloodshed cannot be called peaceful confrontation between the society and the authorities.

Raman Jakauleuski, international observer, recounted his vision of the situation in Ukraine in the interview with the EuroBelarus Information Service.

- Ukrainian regime didn’t stop before the murder of Maidan activists. Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers freed “Berkut’s” hands, lifting restrictions on the use of water-cannons in sub-zero temperature, allowing new types of grenades and permitting to block the streets and constrain the traffic. Does it mean that Yanukovich is heading for the strong-arm suppression of Maidan?

- Yes, Yanukovich went for it. However, as we can see, it hasn’t scared the protesters. The conflict is developing, and it is hard to predict what it will lead to. By using force, Yanukovich only complicates his life. Such bloody “exercise” before the forthcoming presidential elections can lead to his early resignation.

- “Berkut” fighters continued cleaning up Maidan simultaneously with the negotiations between the opposition and Yanukovich. Opposition leaders didn’t give any comments after the meeting. Does it mean that negotiations have failed?

- I would rather interpret it as a meeting than as negotiations. How successful and fateful this meeting was, will be clear within the next few days.

- Are there any chances that the political crisis will be settled peacefully? Or it is impossible after the deaths at Maidan?

- After the bloodshed, which happened at Maidan, there is no talking about the peaceful character of the confrontation. It is clear that in order to peacefully settle the Ukrainian conflict, mediators, which would be trusted both by opposition and by the authorities, are required.

- Which scenario can be unfolded in Ukraine then?

- Nobody can predict how the situation, which is growing into a revolution, will be developing. On January 23 at 8 p.m. the term of the ultimatum presented to Yanukovich has expired. It can be that Yanukovich changes places with Timoshenko. However, Yanukovich holds control of “Berkut” fighters now… In such situation it is impossible to make accurate predictions.