23 Jan 2014 16:55

Klitschko: opposition demonstrates wish to find compromise

KYIV. Jan 23 (Interfax) - Vitaly Klitschko, leader of the party UDAR, said he believes reconciliation between protesters and police is a good foundation for negotiations between the opposition and Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.

"We have now reconciled for the period of the negotiations. It's a very good foundation for the negotiations, for us to find points of contact and reach agreements," Klitschko told reporters near the presidential administration, where he came for negotiations. He later learned that the meeting had been rescheduled for 3:00 p.m.

"I am confident that the president should release everyone who was detained and stop the terrorism, which takes place when people are arrested and taken from traumatological points," Klitschko said.

Klitschko said the demands made by the opposition are not an ultimatum to the current administration. "It's not an ultimatum," he said, responding to a question as to when the ultimatum given by the opposition to the authorities expires.

"We demonstrate a wish to find a compromise, but the authorities should take steps for that," Klitschko said.

"The president now has maximum power in his hands, maximum responsibility for everything that is now happening in Ukraine," Klitschko said.

The politician also expressed regrets about the recent deaths of people in the fighting. "It is terrible. We should do all we can to prevent death."