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“Because those who stand on Maidan believe in God, and those who are in power also believe in God. So this faith in God must be proved by deeds. And if you say that you are a believer, that you are a Christian, and kill people, then what kind of Christian are you if you kill people or give orders to kill?”
Analyst: “We expect the conflict’s de-escalation will be welcomed by equity investors in Ukraine and Ukraine-related stocks will benefit in the next few sessions. At the same time, the situation on fixed income and currency markets has become less predictable now.”
Putin clearly understands, the analyst continues, that “a Ukrainian yes” for Europe is “a no for the post-Soviet model of criminal capitalism” that he has put in place and that keeps him in power.
Analyst: “The Jan. 27 decision to increase police forces and acquire more arms and ammunition is disturbing and does not bode well for resolving the conflict. It remains to be seen whether all the tragic mistakes of the last two weeks, including the Jan. 16 anti-protest laws, are reversed with Azarov’s resignation.”
Acceptance of the resignation by President Yanukovych considered likely since the president had already offered the position to Arseniy Yatsenyuk during negotiations with the Opposition.
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatovi? in particular pointed to the criminalization of defamation, the wide application of punishment of extremist activities that concern media freedom, the suppression of the independence of the national broadcasting regulator, and restrictions to internet freedom.