European Union chief Charles Michel visits Kyiv for Maidan anniversary

EU chief Charles Michel made an unannounced visit to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Tuesday, the tenth anniversary of the start of the pro-European Maidan protest movement."Good to be back in Kyiv, among friends," the president of the European Council posted on social media, alongside a picture of him descending from a train.

Ukraine commemorates the decade-long milestone of the Euromaidan protest movement triggered by the decision of then-President Viktor Yanukovych to reject signing an EU Association Agreement.For several months, Kyiv's central square was overtaken by vast gatherings of pro-European demonstrators vehemently opposing Yanukovych's initiative to strengthen economic relations with Russia.Tragedy struck in mid-February 2014 when over 100 individuals lost their lives as security forces unleashed gunfire upon the protesting crowds.

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