Ukraine opposition blocking approval of 2014 budget as crisis deepens

Ukraine’s government and opposition remain unable to compromise on most of the key issues in the current crisis, including approving the 2014 budget. The opposition has refused to unblock the parliamentary tribune, demanding resignations and the release of protesters and journalists, while the government has launched its latest counterprotest near the parliament, which is being planned until the 2014 budget is passed. The parliamentary majority wants to amend a recently passed law on amnesty for protesters, while the opposition wants it to be applied as is.

Zenon Zawada: We don’t see any compromise between the government and opposition in passing the 2014 budget. The EuroMaidan electorate will be outraged if the opposition politicians allow the government to approve the budget. Meanwhile, the government will view failure to approve it as a big defeat, yet it won’t offer any concessions.