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朝日新聞が伝えるところでは、ロシアのG8参加を停止 G7がハーグ宣言採択との事である。ロシアによるクリミア併合が既に規定事実化している状況下で、そうはいっても指を咥え只管傍観する訳にもいかず、取り敢えずG7各国指導者が轡を並べ反ロシアのポーズを取ってみたというところであろう。
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朝日新聞が伝えるところでは、ロシアのG8参加を停止 G7がハーグ宣言採択との事である。ロシアによるクリミア併合が既に規定事実化している状況下で、そうはいっても指を咥え只管傍観する訳にもいかず、取り敢えずG7各国指導者が轡を並べ反ロシアのポーズを取ってみたというところであろう。

主要国(G8)からロシアを除いた7カ国(G7)は24日(日本時間25日未明)、核保安サミット開催地のオランダ・ハーグで首脳会合を開き、ロシアのG8への参加停止を決めた。ロシアがウクライナ南部クリミア半島を併合したことに対抗し、強く警告する措置だ。また、オバマ米大統領は習近平(シーチンピン)・中国国家主席と会談し、米欧や日本によるロシア制裁への支持を求めた。

■対ロシア制裁に実効性はあるのか?

実際問題として対ロシア制裁に実効性を期待するのは極めて困難と思う。ロシア要人に対する個人査証の停止や、海外の資産凍結が決定された様だが、これはまあ軽いジャブといったところであろう。貿易の制限をやるべきなのだが、具体的にはロシアの場合エネルギー輸出が全輸出の75%に達しており、天然ガスの輸入を停止するか?という話になる。

ドイツは天然ガスの3分の1をロシアから輸入している。従って、ロシア制裁には慎重な姿勢を取ると予想したが、全く予想通りの展開である。ドイツはEUの中核国であり、しかもイタリアもロシアからガスを輸入しているとなると、ロシアからのガスの輸入は今まで通りとなるのではないか? 更に、ドイツのメルケル首相は東ドイツで生まれ、育っている。このBBCドキュメンタリーによればロシア語が堪能との事である。愈々ドイツがロシア制裁に積極的に動くとは想像し難い。

一方、日本の場合は、2013年に輸入したLNGのうちロシア産は10%を占める。昨年の安倍首相による靖国参拝以降、日米関係に軋みが生じている。従って、今回率先してロシアからのLNG輸入を停止し、優等生を演じるのも良いのではないだろうか? 勿論、停止中の原発を再稼働する事がその前提となるが。

■ロシアの独り勝ちなのか?

ロシアによるクリミア併合が既に規定事実化している一方、G7が有効な対抗施策を取れないとなればロシアの独り勝ちという一旦の結論となる。しかしながら、本当にそうだろうか? 私は必ずしもそうは思わない。ロシアの財政は昨年から赤字に転じている。

国際競争力のある商品は殆ど皆無で石油・ガスといった化石燃料の輸出が全輸出の75%を占めるに至っている。サウジや中東湾岸産油国同様化石燃料の輸出が財政を支えている訳である。好調な化石燃料の輸出に気を良くして公務員給与や年金を気前良く上げ過ぎた結果、原油価格が103ドル以上でないと財政が黒字にならないところまで来てしまっている。これは最近の相場だと少しだが赤字という事である。

これはまるで絵に描いた様な典型的な、オランダ病の症例である。クリミア住民は今回のロシアに編入によって公務員給与は4倍に、年金は2倍になるとの話である。これでは、住民投票で賛成が多くなるのも頷けるが、一方、ロシア財政の破綻を加速するのも当然である。

■ロシアの財政破綻は日本に取ってチャンス

喫緊ではないものの日本に取っての対ロ課題は、日露平和条約の締結、北方4島の返還、シベリア開発である。仮にロシアが財政破綻に陥り、お尻に火がついてくれば日本有利で交渉が可能となる。従って、状況の推移を注視すると共に日本は原発を再稼働させ、ロシアからの液化天然ガスの輸入を停止すべきであろう。勿論、外交と対話のドアは絶えず開けておく事が肝要である。

■ロシアによる今回のクリミア併合が焙り出したもの

先月28日、ホワイトハウスの記者会見でオバマ大統領は「ロシアが(ウクライナに)軍事介入する場合、『必ず代価を支払うようになる』と強い口調で警告した。しかしながら、それから1日も経たない内にロシア議会はオバマ大統領の警告を無視して、プーチン大統領が提出したウクライナでの軍事力の使用要請を満場一致で承認した。

これには無論伏線がある。オバマ大統領は、シリアのアサド政権に化学兵器を使用しないよう14回も警告したものの、結局同政権はこの「レッドライン」を越えてしまった。しかしながらオバマ大統領は結局武力行使に踏み切らなかった。これにより、世界はアメリカのプレゼンスを軽んじ、今回のロシアの様に勝手気儘、やりたい放題になってしまった。現状は、世界がまるで学級崩壊の教室の様になってしまったという事であろう。

■Gゼロ時代の到来

こうしたロシアの一連動きを受けて、シリア問題などでロシアに出し抜かれた形になったオバマ大統領のへの批判と不満がアメリカ国内で噴出している。この根底にあるものを冷静に検証すべきは当然である。私は、Gゼロという考え方をこの際日本政府は徹底的に検証すべきと思っている。

日米欧など主要7カ国で構成するG7も、新興国を加えたG20も機能しない、主導国のない世界。ブレマー氏が提示した。Gゼロは「長くは続かないが、いつまでかはわからない」という。同氏はGゼロ後の世界として(1)米中協調のG2(2)米中対立の冷戦2.0(3)機能するG20(4)地域分裂―の四つのシナリオを想定している。

( 2012-10-20 朝日新聞 朝刊 オピニオン1 )

今少し具体的な説明は、Gゼロ時代に日本はどうやって生き残れば良いのか?、で試みているのでこちらを参照願いたい。

ニューヨークタイムズはアメリカ政府が進める軍縮について詳しく説明している。現在の様な軍事支出を続けていてはアメリカの財政は持続不可能なので、第二次世界大戦前の規模に縮小するというのである。兵士の数をベトナム戦争の時の四分の一、44万人にまで減らす。アメリカは第二次世界大戦後「世界の警察」として世界の平和維持のために尽力して来た。これからは世界の警察官の数が減るという事である。

その結果、当然地域紛争は増加するだろう。隣国の領地を侵略する、或いは、軍事的冒険主義に走る国も出て来るだろう。日本はこのGゼロ時代に果たして生き残れるのか? 生き残りのため何をなすべきか? 国も日本国民もこの課題を本当に真剣に考えねばならない。

第二次世界大戦後長く続いた冷戦構造の中で日本は余りにアメリカに寄り掛かる事に慣れ過ぎた。しかしながら、世界はGゼロ時代を迎えてしまった。最早寄り掛かる対象が存在しないという事である。日本政府、日本企業、そして日本人、各々のレイヤー毎に自分の頭で考え、判断し、行動するしかない。巧くやれねば「野垂れ死に」も覚悟せねばならないという事である。

クリミア住民投票
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Ukrainian MPs Vote To Oust President Viktor Yanukovych(21 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 22: Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko addresses the crowd in Independence Square after being freed from prison on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Ukrainian members of parliament have voted to oust Viktor Yanukovych and bring presidential elections forward to the 25th of May. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ukrainian MPs Vote To Oust President Viktor Yanukovych(22 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 22: Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko addresses the crowd in Independence Square after being freed from prison on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Ukrainian members of parliament have voted to oust Viktor Yanukovych and bring presidential elections forward to the 25th of May. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ukrainian MPs Vote To Oust President Viktor Yanukovych(23 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 22: Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko addresses the crowd in Independence Square after being freed from prison on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Ukrainian members of parliament have voted to oust Viktor Yanukovych and bring presidential elections forward to the 25th of May. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ukrainian MPs Vote To Oust President Viktor Yanukovych(24 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 22: Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko addresses anti-government protesters on Independence Square on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. The leader of the 2004 Orange Revolution against current embattled President Viktor Yanukovych traveled to Kiev to address the crowd immediately after being released from prison on what many claim were politically motivated charges. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ukrainian MPs Vote To Oust President Viktor Yanukovych(25 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 22: A poster of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko is held up in the crowd on Independence Square before her address to anti-government protesters gathered there on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. The leader of the 2004 Orange Revolution against current embattled President Viktor Yanukovych traveled to Kiev to address the crowd immediately after being released from prison on what many claim were politically motivated charges. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ukrainian MPs Vote To Oust President Viktor Yanukovych(26 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 22: Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko addresses anti-government protesters on Independence Square on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. The leader of the 2004 Orange Revolution against current embattled President Viktor Yanukovych traveled to Kiev to address the crowd immediately after being released from prison on what many claim were politically motivated charges. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(27 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 20: Anti-government protesters continue to clash with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling to oust President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(28 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 20: Anti-government protesters continue to clash with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling to oust President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(29 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 20: Anti-government protesters continue to clash with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling to oust President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(30 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 20: Anti-government protesters carry the injured during continued clashes with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling to oust President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(31 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 20: Anti-government protesters carry the injured during continued clashes with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling to oust President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(32 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 20: Anti-government protesters carry the injured during continued clashes with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling to oust President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(33 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 20: Anti-government protesters continue to clash with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(34 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 20: Anti-government protesters, continue to clash with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(35 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: Anti-government protesters man barricades during demonstrations in Independence Square on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(36 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: Anti-government protesters let off fireworks during demonstrations in Independence Square on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union.(Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(37 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: An anti-government protester throws a tire onto fires during demonstrations in Independence Square on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(38 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: Anti-government protesters man barricades during demonstrations in Independence Square on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(39 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: Anti-government protesters stand behind a line of burning tires and debris on Independence Square on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between anti-government protesters and police as the Ukrainian parliament is meant to take up the question of whether to revert to the country\'s 2004 constitution. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(40 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: Medical volunteers treat an injured anti-government protester in a makeshift clinic near Independence Square on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between anti-government protesters and police as the Ukrainian parliament is meant to take up the question of whether to revert to the country\'s 2004 constitution. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(41 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: Anti-government protesters use a compressed air cannon to launch a Molotov cocktail toward police lines on Independence Square on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between anti-government protesters and police as the Ukrainian parliament is meant to take up the question of whether to revert to the country\'s 2004 constitution. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(42 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: Anti-government protesters man barricades during demonstrations in Independence Square on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(43 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 20: Anti-government protesters, continue to their clash with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(44 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 20: Anti-government protesters, continue to their clash with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(45 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 20: Anti-government protesters carry the injured during continued clashes with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(46 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 20: Anti-government protesters, continue to their clash with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(47 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 20: Anti-government protesters, continue to their clash with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(48 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 20: Anti-government protesters, continue to clash with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(49 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 20: Anti-government protesters, continue to clash with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Anti-government protesters clash with police in Independence Square on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Violent clashes erupted yesterday following renewed anti-government protests, with the death toll rising to 25. (credit:Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)
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Anti-government protesters clash with police in Independence Square on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Violent clashes erupted yesterday following renewed anti-government protests, with the death toll rising to 25. (credit:Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)
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Women make molotov cocktails as anti-government protesters clash with police in Independence Square on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Violent clashes erupted yesterday following renewed anti-government protests, with the death toll rising to 25. (credit:Reuters)
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Anti-government protesters clash with police in Independence Square on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Violent clashes erupted yesterday following renewed anti-government protests, with the death toll rising to 25. (credit:Reuters)
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Anti-government protesters clash with police in Independence Square on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Violent clashes erupted yesterday following renewed anti-government protests, with the death toll rising to 25. (credit:Reuters)
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Anti-government protesters clash with police in Independence Square on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Violent clashes erupted yesterday following renewed anti-government protests, with the death toll rising to 25. (credit:Reuters)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(56 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: Anti-government protesters guard the perimeter of Independence Square, known as Maidan, on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(57 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: Anti-government protesters guard the perimeter of Independence Square, known as Maidan, on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(58 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: Anti-government protesters guard the perimeter of Independence Square, known as Maidan, on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(59 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: Anti-government protesters guard the perimeter of Independence Square, known as Maidan, on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(60 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: Fireworks fly over Independence Square, known as Maidan, during clashes in the early hours of on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(61 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: Anti-government protesters guard the perimeter of Independence Square, known as Maidan, on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(62 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: Anti-government protesters guard the perimeter of Independence Square, known as Maidan, on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(63 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: Anti-government protesters guard the perimeter of Independence Square, known as Maidan, on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(64 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: Anti-government protesters guard the perimeter of Independence Square, known as Maidan, on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(65 of65)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: A fire truck is used to rescue people from the upper floors of a burning Trade Unions Building, which has been used as the de facto headquarters for anti-government protesters, on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)