KIEV, Ukraine — About 200,000 anti-government protesters converged on the central square of Ukraine’s capital Sunday in a dramatic show of morale after nearly four weeks of daily protests.
U.S. Sens. John McCain, a Republican, and Chris Murphy, a Democrat, joined the anti-government demonstration to express support for their European ambitions, threatening sanctions against the government of President Viktor Yanukovych if authorities use more violence to disperse the protests.
“We are here because your peaceful process and peaceful protest is inspiring your country and inspiring the world,” McCain told protesters. “Ukraine will make Europe better, and Europe will make Ukraine better.”
The protests began Nov. 21 after Yanukovych announced he was backing away from signing a long-awaited agreement to deepen trade and political ties with the EU and instead focus on Russia. They have grown in size and intensity after two violent police dispersals.
