In the biggest demonstrations the country has seen since the 2004 Orange Revolution, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians took to Kyiv's Independence Square on Sunday to demand the resignation of President Viktor Yanukovych for refusing to sign an agreement on closer ties with the European Union. Protesters blocked the government's main headquarters and surrounding streets this morning and opposition leaders vowed the protests will continue.
Maryana Drach, Director of RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, which has been providing continuous coverage of events since President Yanukovych rejected the EU offer in Vilnius last week, discussed the "Euromaidan" and the choices facing Ukraine with activist Oleh Rybachuk in Kyiv and RFE/RL Ukrainian Service Broadcaster Natalya Churikova in Prague during a Google+ Hangout on December 3. The discussion was moderated by Brian Whitmore, Europe Desk Editor in RFE/RL's Central Newsroom and the writer of the acclaimed blog, "The Power Vertical."
Watch the Hangout here:
Maryana Drach - has been in charge of RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service since June 2013. An international affairs specialist who joined the Service in 1996, Drach was appointed Managing Editor in August 2012. Drach also hosts the Services' daily radio program "Liberty Today,” which summarizes and analyzes key developments in Ukraine and on the international scene.
Oleh Rybachuk - is a Ukrainian politician, civil society activist, and expert in Euro-Atlantic integration. From 2002-2005 Rybachuk served as an MP in the Ukrainian Parliament with the “Our Ukraine” party, and has also worked as Chief Advisor and Chief of Staff to the President of Ukraine.
Natalya Churikova - began her career as an economic correspondent with an interest in foreign policy, especially European and Euro-Atlantic integration. A journalist with RFE/RL since 1995, in 2005 Chirikova launched the program “European Liberty” (later “Europe Connect”), which features topics selected by an on-line audience and arranges answers to audience questions from people living in western Europe.
Brian Whitmore - is the Europe Desk Editor for RFE/RL's Central Newsroom and the writer of "The Power Vertical" blog
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