‘Sadness,’ uncertainty in Ukraine even after landmark deal
< < Go Back
Three months of political unrest, one week of horrific internecine violence, a few frenetic hours of negotiations — it all culminated in a breakthrough deal In Ukraine to cut the president’s powers, reinvent the Constitution and pave the way to free a key opposition leader.
These developments Friday gave hope to the Eastern European nation. But as long as angry protesters pack Kiev’s Maidan, or Independence Square, as long as the emotions remain raw, as long as the bloodshed is still fresh, this story isn’t over.
“I feel very proud of Ukrainians because we showed we are able to struggle for our future, our freedom,” said Sophia Holotna, whose friend was among the scores of demonstrators killed in the capital.
“But now I feel almost very sadness. It’s my first feeling.”
The agreement — hashed out overnight and into the afternoon among Ukrainian leaders, opposition figures and European Union representatives — drew some cheers when it was announced to the Maidan crowd.
One of the main opposition leaders, Vitali Klitschko, took the stage a short time later. He got a notably frostier reception, contending that the government was trying to divide the protesters, before walking off to a handful of jeers.
Later, a protester — not a leader, not part of any political group, just an ordinary Ukrainian he insisted — expressed disappointment with the deal and proposed that action should be taken if President Viktor Yanukovych doesn’t resign by 10 a.m. Saturday.
Another protester, Viola Danis, said simply the deal is “not enough.”
More From CNN: