Ukraine president, opposition leaders to have talks

Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych and opposition leaders are scheduled to participate in a roundtable meeting Friday about recent protests, officials said. The so-called Euromaidan protests began Nov. 21 in response to Yanukovych's last-minute decision to reject a trade and association agreement with the European Union and instead seek closer economic ties with Russia. Opposition leaders had previously refused to sit down with Yanukovych until he fired his government and released all arrested demonstrators. Euromaidan commandant Yehor Sobolev said opposition leaders were ready to talk with the president in a roundtable in Kiev. "The opposition leaders are currently heading to participate in a roundtable meeting with President Yanukovych. This is a difficult step, and they made this decision after consulting with the public and Euromaidan activists," he said. Yanukovych's official website also confirmed the talks, at which the two sides are scheduled to discuss proposals aimed at achieving political stability, public peace and calm, Interfax-Ukraine reported.