Ukraine: Political groups call for a protest in Kyiv December 8

Event

Several political groups have called for a protest in Kyiv on Sunday, December 8, in conjunction with the 'Normandy Summit' scheduled to take place in Paris on Monday, December 9, to discuss peace in eastern Ukraine. Participants plan to gather at 13:00 (local time) at Independence Square (also known as the Maidan). Some activists have said that they will not leave the area until their demands are met.

A heightened security presence and localized transportation disruptions are expected near the protest site.

Context

The hybrid conflict in Donbass between government forces and Russian-backed separatist militias remains ongoing as of December 2019, and parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions are likely to remain effective Russian protectorates for the foreseeable future. Clashes between Ukrainian state forces and separatists have been taking place on a regular basis despite several ceasefire agreements made since 2014. According to the UN, more than 10,300 people have died since the conflict erupted in April 2014, soon after Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula. The fighting has displaced more than 1.6 million people.

Advice

Individuals in Kyiv are advised to monitor developments to the situation, anticipate localized transportation disruptions, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.

Due to the ongoing conflict, many Western governments advise against travel to the far east of Ukraine, including the cities of Donetsk, Horlivka, Makiyivka, Mariupol, and Luhansk.