by
Martin Banks
Conservative deputy Charles Tannock also expressed fears about reports of the presence of "ultranationalists thugs or agents provocateurs" amongst peaceful protestors who have brought much of the country to a standstill.
His comments come following the resignation on Tuesday of Ukraine's PM and govenment and as analysts continue to debate the opposition leaders’ influence over a protest movement with increasingly unruly elements.
Last Thursday morning, thousands of demonstrators were gathered on the streets in Kiev, the Ukraine capital, where the most recent wave of conflict started on January 19, apparently not heeding the calls for a 24-hour truce.
Instead, they were constructing new barricades, stoking fires, piling up stones or throwing them at the police.
Demonstrators have been seen throwing firebombs into the Ukrainian House building and setting off fireworks and baskets laden with petrol bombs have been found in the last 24 hours on frozen Kiev streets.
Though the protest movement - known as the 'EuroMaidan' - has been largely peaceful, a hardcore of radicals are now openly battling police away from the main seat of the protest on Independence Square.
On Saturday morning, demonstrators were milling about, many of them bearing clubs, metal rods and large sticks.
It has also been claimed protesters seized and tortured two policemen before releasing them.
Some say the outbursts have underlined a growing inclination for radical actions in the protest movement that has gripped Kiev for two months.
Tannock, a respected foreign affairs expert, said, "Of course, I condemn the use of unprovoked violence by anyone.
"But I am also concerned about reports of the presence ultranationalists thugs or agents provocateurs amongst peaceful protestors. That is why I urge dialogue and a peaceful resolution based on multiparty democracy and territorial integrity of Ukraine."
The MEP, a member of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group in the European Parliament, added, "I would support a more proactive mediator role for the EU."
Another British MEP, who said he did not wish to be named, said, "It is striking that there is still no mention of the leading role of Neo-nazi groups in these protests. We need to hear more about the role of the far right in all of this.
"The one-sided cheerleading by our Western media and governments is, frankly, staggering. Nazi thugs are being lauded as 'freedom fighters' and there is strangely no mention of the prevalance of white power and Nazi emblems all over the protests."
"This is not people power - its the opposition unleashing their street fighting fascists to try and bring down the Ukraine government.This could very easily spiral into civil war with neo-Nazis in positions of power."
With Kiev facing its most serious crisis since independence in 1991 in a dispute over trade links with the EU and Russia, the European Union was this week considering sending its most senior officials to Ukraine in an attempt to pressure the government.
Ukraine is also expected to feature at talks in Brussels on Tuesday between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the European Union.
Later on Tuesday, Ukrainian prime minister Mykola Azarov resigned, saying he hoped the move would help bring a peaceful resolution to the crisis that has gripped the country for two months.
By: N. Peter Kramer
