The United States State Department announced they're considering sanction policy options towards Ukraine after the recent strike against demonstrators by riot police on Wednesday, Reuters reported.
Riot police invaded camps which housed protesters in Independence Square in Kiev on Wednesday after weeks of demonstration and protests against Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, according to Reuters.
"All policy options, including sanctions, are on the table, in our view, but obviously that still is being evaluated," state department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told Reuters. "We're considering policy options. There obviously hasn't been a decision made. Sanctions are included. But I am not going to outline more specifics."
The anti-Yanukovych protesters are angry with the president for moving away from a free trade deal with the European Union, and instead strengthening ties with Moscow, Reuters reported.
The riot police withdrew from the streets in the morning after invading the square as angry protesters fought against them, according to Reuters. Bulldozers were sent in to clear out protesters camped inside the square during the night time, but police were not able to enter City Hall.
Europe and the U.S. have condemned the attack on the protest camp, Reuters reported. President Yanukovych said he would meet with the opposition for talks, but the opposition refused his offer.
Anti-Yanukovych's protesters continued to occupy City Hall, and stuck to their demands: they want the president and his government to resign, Reuters reported. Protesters say they will not meet with the president until he has fired all of his staff and releases all arrested demonstrators.
The invasion of protests camp in the Square have been the most aggressive attempts of authorities trying to gain control over the streets, but the protesters seem to have gained confidence with the withdrawal of the riot police, according to Reuters.
