21/02/2014 11:13
Ukrainian president willing to hold early vote - Polish PM
The president of Ukraine told European foreign ministers Thursday that he is willing to hold early elections this year, the prime minister of Poland has told reporters, according to RIA Novosti.
If confirmed, the concession could point to a possible exit from the violent crisis gripping the former Soviet nation, although it is likely the hardened opposition will settle for nothing short of President Viktor Yanukovych’s resignation.
Foreign ministers from Poland, France and Germany are currently in the capital of Ukraine, Kiev, to hold talks with Yanukovych and opposition leaders to assist in negotiating an end to unrest that has claimed dozens of lives.
"The three ministers are in Kiev discussing a certain document, which gives a chance to bring an end to violence and achieve an agreement. A willingness for early elections, already this year, parliamentary as well as presidential, was agreed," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk was cited as saying by the Reuters news agency in Warsaw.
Udar opposition party leader Vitali Klitschko dampened prospects for an immediate resolution, however, by saying that no agreement on how to bring the crisis to a close had been agreed, Russian media reported.
The document is currently being discussed with the opposition.