The American ambassador to Ukraine spent part of Tuesday night directing traffic (VIDEO)
A protester attacks police hiding behind their shields as rocks rain down on them in central Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, on Feb. 18, 2014.
Geoffrey Pyatt, the US ambassador to Ukraine, reportedly took to the streets of Kyiv to direct traffic on Tuesday — the bloodiest day of clashes seen in Ukraine since the former Soviet republic won its independence over 22 years ago.
Pyatt, who been criticized for the United States’ role in Ukraine, apparently decided to help protesters who were driving into EuroMaidan — the name Kyiv's Independence Square has earned over the course of the demonstrations.
Pyatt confirmed on Twitter that he was directing traffic during the mayhem and was trying to "get downtown where the work is."
“From this moment on, the USA holds [President] Yanukovych responsible for everything that happens in Ukraine,” Pyatt told Zerkalo Nedeli newspaper after talks with Ukraine's Foreign Ministry, according to RT.
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The United States came under fire recently after a recording of a private phone call between Pyatt and Assistant Secretary for European Affairs Victoria Nuland was leaked online.
The conversation allegedly centered on a behind-the-scenes deal to end the political unrest in Ukraine. One particular sound bite proved to be particularly controversial: “F*** the E.U.,” Nuland seemed to say.
“Yeah, exactly,” Mr. Pyatt agreed.
In the exchange, both diplomats seemed frustrated that European leaders had not done more to put pressure on President Yanukovych to respond to protesters.
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