Opposition trying to buy time with talks to arm militants - Ukrainian presidential administration
KYIV. Feb 20 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian presidential administration said it was concerned about the fact that the opposition ignored attempts for peaceful settlement of the conflict in Kyiv and forceful clashes occurred again.
"The assurances of the opposition leaders on the necessity of a truce and a return to dialogue turned out to be just a maneuver to buy time, to mobilize and arm militants from Maidan," the administration said in a statement released by the Ukrainian president's press office.
With firearms "radical-minded protestors from Maidan started to push the law enforcement officers on February 20 at 9 a.m. [11 a.m. Moscow time] despite the truce declared," the document said.
"Militants have ignored all the attempts of the authorities to establish dialogue and work toward a peaceful resolution of the conflict. They have started to attack. They act in organized armed groups and use firearms, including sniper rifles, with the intent to kill. While law enforcement officers are unarmed and use special equipment only," the statement said.
According to the information of the presidential administration, dozens law enforcement officers were killed or injured and all possible means are being used to stop the bloodshed and resistance.