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Q&A: Stand-off in Ukraine over EU agreement Q&A: Stand-off in Ukraine over EU agreement
(12 days later)
Protesters have been camped out in the Ukraine's capital Kiev since late November, in a challenge to the government since it backtracked on a key association agreement with the EU and moved to boost relations with Russia. Protesters have been camped out in Ukraine's capital Kiev since late November, in a challenge to the government since it backtracked on a key association agreement with the EU and moved to boost relations with Russia.
Massive pro-EU rallies have gripped the city every weekend and neither side shows any sign of backing down. Pro-EU activists occupying central Independence Square resisted initial government attempts to oust them. They hold rallies every weekend, though these are no longer attracting the huge numbers they did when the protests began.
What caused the protests?What caused the protests?
The trigger was the government's decision not to sign a far-reaching partnership deal with the EU, despite years of negotiations aimed at integrating Ukraine with the 28-nation bloc. That decision was announced on 21 November.The trigger was the government's decision not to sign a far-reaching partnership deal with the EU, despite years of negotiations aimed at integrating Ukraine with the 28-nation bloc. That decision was announced on 21 November.
Thousands of pro-EU Ukrainians poured onto the streets of the capital, urging President Viktor Yanukovych to cancel his U-turn and go ahead with the EU deal after all. He refused, and the protests continued, with an estimated 100,000 turning out on 24 November, calling for the president and government to resign.Thousands of pro-EU Ukrainians poured onto the streets of the capital, urging President Viktor Yanukovych to cancel his U-turn and go ahead with the EU deal after all. He refused, and the protests continued, with an estimated 100,000 turning out on 24 November, calling for the president and government to resign.
It was the following weekend, on 30 November in the early hours, that riot police waded in heavily to break up a student protest, leaving dozens of people injured.It was the following weekend, on 30 November in the early hours, that riot police waded in heavily to break up a student protest, leaving dozens of people injured.
Anger at the TV pictures only fuelled anger with President Yanukovych, and Independence Square has seen huge protests every Sunday since then. Anger at the TV pictures only fuelled anger with President Yanukovych, and drove protesters to join the Sunday protests in Independence Square.
An estimated 200,000 attended the latest rally on 15 December which came days after a new, though less violent, attempt to remove the barricades in Kiev. The authorities sought to defuse the anger through measures such as the suspension of the mayor of Kiev and release of detainees.
The authorities have sought to defuse the anger through measures such as the suspension of the mayor of Kiev and release of detainees. On 17 December, Russia and Ukraine announced a major deal under which Russia would buy $15bn-worth (£9.2bn; 10.9bn euros) of Ukrainian government bonds and slash the price of Russian gas sold to Ukraine.
The deal - of critical importance to Ukraine at the time when the country is struggling to avoid default - appeared to take the wind out of the sails of the protest movement, with the number of demonstrators attending the Sunday rallies dwindling.
But when a pro-opposition journalist, Tetyana Chornovol, was beaten up by unknown assailants on Christmas Day, there was an outcry, and it appears the beating may have re-energised the protest movement.
Who are the protesters?Who are the protesters?
The protesters are mainly from the Kiev area and western Ukraine, where there is a greater affinity with the EU, than in the Russian-speaking east and south - though they include eastern Ukrainians too. While many declare their desire for Ukraine to follow a European path, many others are angered by the actions of the government and what they see as the corruption of politicians.The protesters are mainly from the Kiev area and western Ukraine, where there is a greater affinity with the EU, than in the Russian-speaking east and south - though they include eastern Ukrainians too. While many declare their desire for Ukraine to follow a European path, many others are angered by the actions of the government and what they see as the corruption of politicians.
Parliament's three opposition movements have all been involved in the protests. Vitali Klitschko, the former world heavyweight boxing champion and leader of the Udar (Punch) movement, has been a prominent demonstrator. He is very pro-EU and plans to run for president in 2015.Parliament's three opposition movements have all been involved in the protests. Vitali Klitschko, the former world heavyweight boxing champion and leader of the Udar (Punch) movement, has been a prominent demonstrator. He is very pro-EU and plans to run for president in 2015.
One of the most important Ukrainian protesters is Arseniy Yatsenyuk, parliamentary leader of the country's second biggest party, called Fatherland. He is an ally of former PM Yulia Tymoshenko, a former prime minister now in jail, who is an arch-rival of the president.One of the most important Ukrainian protesters is Arseniy Yatsenyuk, parliamentary leader of the country's second biggest party, called Fatherland. He is an ally of former PM Yulia Tymoshenko, a former prime minister now in jail, who is an arch-rival of the president.
A new development since Ukraine's last major round of unrest, in the 2004 Orange Revolution, is the presence of ultra-nationalists. The far-right group called Svoboda (Freedom) is also protesting, led by Oleh Tyahnybok (pictured second from left).A new development since Ukraine's last major round of unrest, in the 2004 Orange Revolution, is the presence of ultra-nationalists. The far-right group called Svoboda (Freedom) is also protesting, led by Oleh Tyahnybok (pictured second from left).
Another radical right-wing group, which has been blamed for trying to provoke the police, is Bratstvo (Brotherhood), which is not a parliamentary party.Another radical right-wing group, which has been blamed for trying to provoke the police, is Bratstvo (Brotherhood), which is not a parliamentary party.
Why is Yulia Tymoshenko important?Why is Yulia Tymoshenko important?
Internationally, Tymoshenko has become a symbol of opposition to Mr Yanukovych, and a cause celebre in the EU.Internationally, Tymoshenko has become a symbol of opposition to Mr Yanukovych, and a cause celebre in the EU.
She was jailed in 2011 for criminally exceeding her powers over a gas deal with Russia in 2009, and is serving a seven-year sentence. Many EU politicians accept her allegation that her trial was politically motivated. The European Court of Human Rights did not go as far but did rule that her pre-trial detention had been "arbitrary and unlawful".She was jailed in 2011 for criminally exceeding her powers over a gas deal with Russia in 2009, and is serving a seven-year sentence. Many EU politicians accept her allegation that her trial was politically motivated. The European Court of Human Rights did not go as far but did rule that her pre-trial detention had been "arbitrary and unlawful".
Critics of Tymoshenko argue the abuse of office conviction was just the tip of the iceberg and they allege that she lined her pockets as prime minister while betraying the Orange Revolution in which she played a key role. Critics of Tymoshenko argue the abuse of office conviction was just the tip of the iceberg. They allege that she lined her pockets as prime minister while betraying the Orange Revolution in which she played a key role.
The EU set her release as a key condition for signing the association agreement with Ukraine - but Mr Yanukovych resisted the pressure to free her. Tymoshenko says she has a serious back ailment and wants to get treatment in Germany.The EU set her release as a key condition for signing the association agreement with Ukraine - but Mr Yanukovych resisted the pressure to free her. Tymoshenko says she has a serious back ailment and wants to get treatment in Germany.
She has called for the EU-Ukraine agreement to be signed.She has called for the EU-Ukraine agreement to be signed.
How has the West reacted?How has the West reacted?
The EU's official position is that the door remains open for Ukraine to sign the association agreement but it has put any new talks on the agreement on hold until there is a clear commitment to sign.The EU's official position is that the door remains open for Ukraine to sign the association agreement but it has put any new talks on the agreement on hold until there is a clear commitment to sign.
EU foreign ministers have sought to reassure Russia that the deal would not undermine Moscow's interests.EU foreign ministers have sought to reassure Russia that the deal would not undermine Moscow's interests.
The EU's foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, was cheered when she visited the protesters in Kiev.The EU's foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, was cheered when she visited the protesters in Kiev.
Washington has said it is considering all options, including sanctions, towards Ukraine's leaders after the crackdown on 30 November.Washington has said it is considering all options, including sanctions, towards Ukraine's leaders after the crackdown on 30 November.
US Secretary of State John Kerry expressed "disgust" at the decision by the authorities to "meet the peaceful protest... with riot police, bulldozers, and batons, rather than with respect for democratic rights and human dignity". US Secretary of State John Kerry expressed "disgust" at the decision by the authorities to "meet the peaceful protest... with riot police, bulldozers, and batons".
The state department has also condemned the attack on the journalist Tetyana Chornovol.
Is Russia pulling the strings in Kiev?Is Russia pulling the strings in Kiev?
Russia has given Ukraine a discount of almost a third on Russian gas, amending the contract signed with Tymoshenko. Russia also said it would buy billions of dollars' worth of Ukrainian government bonds. To many observers, the deal struck between Russia and Ukraine on 17 December looks more evidence of a carrot-and-stick approach by the Kremlin.
To many observers it looks like a carrot-and-stick approach by the Kremlin. Mr Yanukovych's abrupt snub to the EU came after Russia exerted strong economic pressure on Ukraine. Mr Yanukovych's abrupt snub to the EU came after Russia exerted strong economic pressure on Ukraine.
The Orange Revolution led to Mr Yanukovych's removal from power after his election was judged to have been fraudulent. Russia backed him then - and backs him now.The Orange Revolution led to Mr Yanukovych's removal from power after his election was judged to have been fraudulent. Russia backed him then - and backs him now.
In the run-up to the EU decision, Russia took various economic measures - including time-consuming border checks and a ban on Ukrainian sweets - and threatened others.In the run-up to the EU decision, Russia took various economic measures - including time-consuming border checks and a ban on Ukrainian sweets - and threatened others.
Observers say it was made very clear to Mr Yanukovych that if he signed up with the EU, he would jeopardise Ukraine's significant trade links with Russia.Observers say it was made very clear to Mr Yanukovych that if he signed up with the EU, he would jeopardise Ukraine's significant trade links with Russia.
Apart from Ukraine's heavy reliance on Russian gas, many Ukrainian firms - especially in the country's Russian-speaking east - depend on sales to Russia.Apart from Ukraine's heavy reliance on Russian gas, many Ukrainian firms - especially in the country's Russian-speaking east - depend on sales to Russia.
Mr Yanukovych, who was democratically elected in 2010, still has a strong support base in eastern and southern Ukraine, and there have been street demonstrations by his supporters.Mr Yanukovych, who was democratically elected in 2010, still has a strong support base in eastern and southern Ukraine, and there have been street demonstrations by his supporters.
For centuries Ukraine was controlled by Moscow and many Russians see Ukraine as vital to Russian interests.For centuries Ukraine was controlled by Moscow and many Russians see Ukraine as vital to Russian interests.