Prime Minister Mykola Azarov is among those guilty of blaming “provocateurs” for everything from the disorder that led to the police crackdown on Nov. 30 to the violence during the Dec. 1 demonstrations to the subsequent takeover of Kyiv City Hall.

Azarov throws the word around as if calling something “a provocation” entitles the authorities to do whatever they want.

It is much better to be precise, since merely insulting someone or passing them on the street can be labeled a “provocation” by whoever takes offense.

On Nov. 30, all the evidence shows that police were the instigators of a deliberate and violent crackdown on 400 or so demonstrators. Eyewitnesses and video showed indiscriminate beatings. If there were “provocations,” such as the throwing of bottles or stones at the attacking police, more likely demonstrators were trying to defend themselves. If the demonstrators launched the attacks on police, then the response – chasing people down the street and beating them indiscriminately – is entirely out of proportion to the “provocation.”

As for Dec. 1, we’d definitely like to know who commandeered a bulldozer and three Molotov cocktails at police. Those are illegal, violent and potentially dangerous acts that can be punished, not merely “provocations.” But were the thugs state-sponsored, merely renegades or opposition-backed? It appears that the violence against police that day was designed for disorder, not to break police lines, suggesting that the opposition had nothing to do with the instigators.

As for the takeover of City Hall, it is indeed a “provocation” of sorts, seemingly sanctioned by the opposition. But the same word “provocation” can be used to describe President Viktor Yanukovych’s decision to keep an unelected mayor in office for years and block scheduling – through parliament – of an election.

Azarov, it may be said, is Ukraine’s chief “provocateur” when he threatens to cut off financing to three western Ukrainian regions for exercising their free speech and free association rights in support of the EuroMaidan, which enter their 16th day on Dec. 6.

Azarov continues to “provoke” by offering negotiation without compromise and denigrating the motives of people on the street.

Only straight talk and compromises on both sides will help this nation out of the tense and dangerous stalemate in which it now finds itself – a made-at-home conflict that now Ukraine’s failing and uncompromising leaders can’t seem to solve themselves without outside help.

One way to start is by stop using the word “provocation” so loosely and as if it justifies any response the offended party wants to take.