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Profile: Ukraine's key protest figures Profile: Ukraine's key protest figures
(14 days later)
Ukraine has been gripped by mass protests since President Viktor Yanukovych rejected a far-reaching deal with the EU in favour of stronger ties with Russia in November 2013.Ukraine has been gripped by mass protests since President Viktor Yanukovych rejected a far-reaching deal with the EU in favour of stronger ties with Russia in November 2013.
The unrest has united pro-EU and ultra-nationalist leaders in the fight against the government.The unrest has united pro-EU and ultra-nationalist leaders in the fight against the government.
Here we profile some of the main actors behind the rallies. Here we profile some of the most prominent protest leaders.
Vitali Klitschko
The former world heavyweight boxing champion is arguably the most prominent figurehead of the protest camp on Kiev's Maidan (Independence Square).The former world heavyweight boxing champion is arguably the most prominent figurehead of the protest camp on Kiev's Maidan (Independence Square).
Mr Klitschko heads the Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reforms (Udar), whose acronym means "Punch". The pro-EU party came third in last year's parliamentary elections. It campaigns against what it perceives to be rampant government corruption.Mr Klitschko heads the Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reforms (Udar), whose acronym means "Punch". The pro-EU party came third in last year's parliamentary elections. It campaigns against what it perceives to be rampant government corruption.
Mr Klitschko, 42, has rejected the role of deputy prime minister offered by President Viktor Yanukovych, calling it a "poisoned" gesture aimed at splitting the opposition.Mr Klitschko, 42, has rejected the role of deputy prime minister offered by President Viktor Yanukovych, calling it a "poisoned" gesture aimed at splitting the opposition.
He has been a vocal Yanukovych critic for more than a decade, accusing him of nepotism and deliberately sabotaging the country's EU ties.He has been a vocal Yanukovych critic for more than a decade, accusing him of nepotism and deliberately sabotaging the country's EU ties.
"The system today is built to service the clan, the family, and not society as a whole," Mr Klitschko said in a recent interview."The system today is built to service the clan, the family, and not society as a whole," Mr Klitschko said in a recent interview.
"Yanukovych doesn't want change. He says he does. But he says he wanted European integration and that turned out to be a con." Mr Klitschko, nicknamed Dr Ironfist, holds a PhD in sports science and plans to run in the 2015 presidential elections.
Mr Klitschko, who plans to run in the 2015 presidential elections, has stressed that the only way to end the unrest is for Mr Yanukovych to resign. Oleh Tyahnybok
Nicknamed Dr Ironfist, Mr Klitschko holds a PhD in sports science and won 45 of his 47 professional fights, 41 by knockout. The leader of the far-right Svoboda party (meaning Freedom), Oleh Tyahnybok, regularly appears alongside Mr Klitschko as one of the key protest participants.
He retired from boxing in 2012 to completely focus his career on politics, telling the BBC: "I feel the people there need me." His movement was a shock success in the 2012 parliamentary election, becoming Ukraine's fourth-largest party, with 37 out of 450 parliamentary seats.
The leader of the far-right Svoboda party, Oleh Tyahnybok, regularly appears alongside Mr Klitschko as one of the key protest participants. Previously known as the "Social-National Party", Svoboda promotes itself as a fervent defender of traditional Ukrainian culture and language against foreign influence - and is seen by some as a fascist organisation.
His movement is Ukraine's fourth-largest party, holding 37 out of 450 parliamentary seats.
Svoboda - meaning Freedom - was a shock success in the 2012 parliamentary election, capturing 10% of the vote and entering the legislature for the first time.
Previously known as the "Social-National Party", Svoboda continues to maintain informal links to another group, the Patriots of Ukraine, regarded by some as proto-fascist.
Svoboda promotes itself as a fervent defender of traditional Ukrainian culture and language against foreign influence.
Mr Tyahnybok, who insists that Svoboda is neither xenophobic nor anti-Semitic, was expelled from parliament in 2004 for proclaiming that a "Muscovite-Jewish mafia" controlled the country.Mr Tyahnybok, who insists that Svoboda is neither xenophobic nor anti-Semitic, was expelled from parliament in 2004 for proclaiming that a "Muscovite-Jewish mafia" controlled the country.
On 1 January 2014, thousands of Svoboda supporters caused controversy when they held a torch-lit procession in Kiev to mark the birthday of a World War Two-era partisan leader.On 1 January 2014, thousands of Svoboda supporters caused controversy when they held a torch-lit procession in Kiev to mark the birthday of a World War Two-era partisan leader.
Some analysts believe the party's participation in the protests contributes to Ukraine's political divide, as their base of support is mainly in the country's west, while voters in the east and south view them as extremists.Some analysts believe the party's participation in the protests contributes to Ukraine's political divide, as their base of support is mainly in the country's west, while voters in the east and south view them as extremists.
But Mr Tyahnybok has expressed hope that it will lead to a larger role in the country's political future.But Mr Tyahnybok has expressed hope that it will lead to a larger role in the country's political future.
Fatherland
Ukraine's second-largest party is led by the jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, an arch-rival of President Yanukovych.Ukraine's second-largest party is led by the jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, an arch-rival of President Yanukovych.
A heroine of the 2004 Orange Revolution, she was sentenced to seven years in prison in 2011 for abuse of power.A heroine of the 2004 Orange Revolution, she was sentenced to seven years in prison in 2011 for abuse of power.
But her supporters say her imprisonment is merely revenge for helping to overturn Mr Yanukovych's election as president amid allegations of vote-rigging in 2004.But her supporters say her imprisonment is merely revenge for helping to overturn Mr Yanukovych's election as president amid allegations of vote-rigging in 2004.
In November, the EU demanded that Tymoshenko - who suffers ill health - be transferred to Germany for medical treatment, as a key condition of its proposed trade deal with Ukraine.In November, the EU demanded that Tymoshenko - who suffers ill health - be transferred to Germany for medical treatment, as a key condition of its proposed trade deal with Ukraine.
But MPs rejected the bill allowing her to leave the country, and shortly afterwards President Yanukovych announced he was ditching the EU agreement altogether.But MPs rejected the bill allowing her to leave the country, and shortly afterwards President Yanukovych announced he was ditching the EU agreement altogether.
Tymoshenko has since released several statements from jail, calling for the president's resignation and urging the international community to intervene.Tymoshenko has since released several statements from jail, calling for the president's resignation and urging the international community to intervene.
"Otherwise, a cemetery of freedom will be built in Ukraine," she said in December."Otherwise, a cemetery of freedom will be built in Ukraine," she said in December.
Her case has been taken up by the European Parliament and human rights activists.Her case has been taken up by the European Parliament and human rights activists.
But critics claim the abuse of office conviction is just the tip of the iceberg, alleging that she lined her pockets in the energy market during the 1990s.But critics claim the abuse of office conviction is just the tip of the iceberg, alleging that she lined her pockets in the energy market during the 1990s.
A close ally of Tymoshenko, Arseniy Yatsenyuk is the parliamentary leader of the Fatherland party.A close ally of Tymoshenko, Arseniy Yatsenyuk is the parliamentary leader of the Fatherland party.
The 39-year-old said there was "no deal" on the table despite being offered the post of prime minister by President Yanukovych. Instead, he vowed to press on with the protests until all demands had been met.The 39-year-old said there was "no deal" on the table despite being offered the post of prime minister by President Yanukovych. Instead, he vowed to press on with the protests until all demands had been met.
"We're finishing what we started. The people decide our leaders, not you," he said in a tweet directed at the president."We're finishing what we started. The people decide our leaders, not you," he said in a tweet directed at the president.
Like Mr Klitschko, Mr Yatsenyuk campaigns for EU integration and to rid Ukraine of corruption.Like Mr Klitschko, Mr Yatsenyuk campaigns for EU integration and to rid Ukraine of corruption.
The former lawyer has held top posts in previous governments, including foreign minister and deputy governor of the central bank.The former lawyer has held top posts in previous governments, including foreign minister and deputy governor of the central bank.
Mr Yatsenyuk unsuccessfully ran for president in 2010.Mr Yatsenyuk unsuccessfully ran for president in 2010.
However, observers note he could now be garnering support for his next political move.However, observers note he could now be garnering support for his next political move.
Some Ukrainian media say he is using the protests as a sort of primary election for the role of chief opposition leader.Some Ukrainian media say he is using the protests as a sort of primary election for the role of chief opposition leader.
Ukraine's ex-Interior Minister Yuriy Lutsenko made headlines in mid-January when he was badly hurt during clashes with police.Ukraine's ex-Interior Minister Yuriy Lutsenko made headlines in mid-January when he was badly hurt during clashes with police.
Although the vocal opposition leader does not belong to any political party, he is closely affiliated with the Fatherland party.Although the vocal opposition leader does not belong to any political party, he is closely affiliated with the Fatherland party.
The 49-year-old's rise to prominence began with the Socialist Party in the early 1990s. He later became one of the most recognisable figures involved in the Orange Revolution, and a prominent member of Tymoshenko's pro-Western government.The 49-year-old's rise to prominence began with the Socialist Party in the early 1990s. He later became one of the most recognisable figures involved in the Orange Revolution, and a prominent member of Tymoshenko's pro-Western government.
Like Yulia Tymoshenko, he himself was jailed for abuse of office and embezzlement, but pardoned under EU pressure in April 2013.Like Yulia Tymoshenko, he himself was jailed for abuse of office and embezzlement, but pardoned under EU pressure in April 2013.
His imprisonment was widely seen as politically motivated.His imprisonment was widely seen as politically motivated.
Walking out of jail, he said would "remain in politics", but denied any ambitions to become a major opposition leader or run for the presidency.Walking out of jail, he said would "remain in politics", but denied any ambitions to become a major opposition leader or run for the presidency.
Shortly afterwards, however, he set up a "civic movement" called the Third Ukrainian Republic, which analysts say could be a sign of growing political ambitions.Shortly afterwards, however, he set up a "civic movement" called the Third Ukrainian Republic, which analysts say could be a sign of growing political ambitions.
Right Sector
In the early days of the protests in Kiev, the most radical activists on Independence Square created the Right Sector movement, which took an active part in violent clashes with police on 19 January.In the early days of the protests in Kiev, the most radical activists on Independence Square created the Right Sector movement, which took an active part in violent clashes with police on 19 January.
The group consists mostly of young men with right-wing views. They come from different regions of Ukraine, and there are both Ukrainian and Russian-speaking people among them.The group consists mostly of young men with right-wing views. They come from different regions of Ukraine, and there are both Ukrainian and Russian-speaking people among them.
The backbone of the organisation is formed by Russian-speaking football fans sharing nationalist views.The backbone of the organisation is formed by Russian-speaking football fans sharing nationalist views.
The members often wear masks, helmets and protection for their hands and feet, and carry sticks or iron bars in case of confrontation with riot police.The members often wear masks, helmets and protection for their hands and feet, and carry sticks or iron bars in case of confrontation with riot police.
Unlike other protesters, most of the Right Sector activists do not support the idea of joining the EU, which they consider to be an "oppressor of European nations".Unlike other protesters, most of the Right Sector activists do not support the idea of joining the EU, which they consider to be an "oppressor of European nations".
The organisation believes the current situation is an opportunity "to destroy the state skeleton" and start building a new state.The organisation believes the current situation is an opportunity "to destroy the state skeleton" and start building a new state.
The Right Sector does not associate itself with the nationalist Svoboda, which it considers to be too liberal and conformist.The Right Sector does not associate itself with the nationalist Svoboda, which it considers to be too liberal and conformist.