Death toll mounts in Ukraine as leaders scramble for peace
- 10 years ago
The death toll rises as new rounds of fighting break out in Ukraine.
The lobby of the Ukraina hotel in Kiev has turned into a morgue.
Authorities and eyewitnesses say the death toll has risen to at least 51 since Tuesday.
That number could change as workers continue to remove bodies from Independence Square.
The clashes come as the opposition meets with Western representatives, who are also in talks with President Viktor Yanukovich.
Opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk wants to see a demilitarized zone.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) OPPOSITION LEADER ARSENIY YATSENYUK SAYING:
"I would be very frank that the government does not control the riot police and its very difficult for the opposition to control Maidan. There are a number of forces who are uncontrollable. This is the truth. Ukraine is in a big mess."
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski says stopping the violence is an absolute must.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) POLISH FOREIGN MINISTER,
The lobby of the Ukraina hotel in Kiev has turned into a morgue.
Authorities and eyewitnesses say the death toll has risen to at least 51 since Tuesday.
That number could change as workers continue to remove bodies from Independence Square.
The clashes come as the opposition meets with Western representatives, who are also in talks with President Viktor Yanukovich.
Opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk wants to see a demilitarized zone.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) OPPOSITION LEADER ARSENIY YATSENYUK SAYING:
"I would be very frank that the government does not control the riot police and its very difficult for the opposition to control Maidan. There are a number of forces who are uncontrollable. This is the truth. Ukraine is in a big mess."
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski says stopping the violence is an absolute must.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) POLISH FOREIGN MINISTER,