Presidential candidate Vitali Klitschko visits Donetsk in bid to ease divisions.
Pro-Russian activists in Donetsk blocked a rally for unity in Ukraine. Law enforcement officials were warning of possible provocations. The pro-Russian activists blocked the venue of the meeting for the unity of Ukraine, at which Vitali Klitschko was to speak.
Protesters with Russian flags held a rally on Lenin Square, then went to the Donetsk Regional State Administration, and then blocked the square near the cathedral and the two adjacent streets.
They blocked workers from setting up the stage and sound equipment for the unity rally. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the Donetsk region, some pro-Russian activists carry explosive packs and grenades. In some law enforcement agencies they have seized the explosives.
Former world boxing champion turned politician Vitali Klitshko was in Donetsk, in a bid to calm both the pro- and anti-Russia crowds. He appealed to the countries that guaranteed Ukraine’s integrity under the 1994 Budapest Memorandum to start negotiations to end the Russian occupation.
“This is an aggression against our country,” he said. “We expect in the next couple of days a meeting under the Budapest agreement. Crimea is part of Ukraine and everything that happens in Crimea is happening in Ukraine.”
“The independence of Ukraine has been guaranteed by Russia, the U.S and Britain. Those guarantees said we would live in safety. Those countries must prevent the violence,” he added.
Source: http://mashable.com/2014/03/09/ukraine-russia-crimea-protest/
Charlie D’Agata, CBS: In Donetsk, Klitscho tells me he is worried the Russians will not stop at Crimea.
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Vitali Klitschko visits Donetsk in bid to ease Ukraine divisions (photo, map):
http://www.itv.com/news/2014-03-09/vitali-visits-donetsk-in-bid-to-ease-ukraine-divisions/
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