This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26284505

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Ukraine crisis: Yanukovych announces 'peace deal' Ukraine crisis: Yanukovych announces 'peace deal'
(about 1 hour later)
Ukraine's president says he has reached a deal with the opposition to end the crisis, after all-night talks mediated by three EU foreign ministers.Ukraine's president says he has reached a deal with the opposition to end the crisis, after all-night talks mediated by three EU foreign ministers.
Viktor Yanukovych's statement said the agreement would be signed later.Viktor Yanukovych's statement said the agreement would be signed later.
However, the French foreign minister voiced caution, saying the deal was not definitive, and the opposition has not confirmed Mr Yanukovych's claim.However, the French foreign minister voiced caution, saying the deal was not definitive, and the opposition has not confirmed Mr Yanukovych's claim.
Protesters and police are still locked in a stand-off in Kiev, a day after dozens were killed in violent clashes.Protesters and police are still locked in a stand-off in Kiev, a day after dozens were killed in violent clashes.
Hours after Mr Yanukovych announced the deal, more violence was reported in central Kiev.Hours after Mr Yanukovych announced the deal, more violence was reported in central Kiev.
The police said they had traded gunfire with protesters, and Ukrainian media said riot police were patrolling inside parliament during a session.The police said they had traded gunfire with protesters, and Ukrainian media said riot police were patrolling inside parliament during a session.
MPs once again began their session with scuffles, as the speaker tried to adjourn a debate concerning the constitutional changes.
The protests first erupted in late November when President Yanukovych rejected a landmark association and trade deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia.The protests first erupted in late November when President Yanukovych rejected a landmark association and trade deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia.
Thursday was the bloodiest day since the unrest began.Thursday was the bloodiest day since the unrest began.
Police opened fire after protesters tried to push them away from the makeshift camps they have been occupying in central Kiev.Police opened fire after protesters tried to push them away from the makeshift camps they have been occupying in central Kiev.
The health ministry said 77 people had been killed since Tuesday, and another 577 were injured.The health ministry said 77 people had been killed since Tuesday, and another 577 were injured.
But activists suggested the death toll was likely to be much higher.But activists suggested the death toll was likely to be much higher.
Early election mootedEarly election mooted
On Thursday, the foreign ministers of France, Poland and Germany conducted several hours of discussions with Mr Yanukovych on a "road-map towards a political solution" before going on to talks with opposition leaders. The foreign ministers of France, Poland and Germany mediated talks between the opposition and government that continued through the night.
They returned for another meeting with Mr Yanukovych in the evening and the talks continued through the night. Early on Friday, the presidency said "parties agreed on the initialling of an agreement to resolve the crisis" - and the deal was to be signed at 12:00 (10:00 GMT).
Early on Friday, the presidency said "parties agreed on the initialling of an agreement to resolve the crisis", but gave no further details. Ukrainian MPs said the deal involved constitutional changes to reduce the power of the president, and an early election.
Ukraine MPs said the deal involved constitutional changes to reduce the power of the president, and an early election.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, who was involved in the talks, said he would be "cautious" about announcing any deal.French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, who was involved in the talks, said he would be "cautious" about announcing any deal.
"The opposition in particular wants to be able to consult with some of its members, which is completely understandable," he said."The opposition in particular wants to be able to consult with some of its members, which is completely understandable," he said.
He said all sides at the talks had agreed not to issue a statement before everything had been agreed.He said all sides at the talks had agreed not to issue a statement before everything had been agreed.
Earlier in the crisis, opposition leaders refused to agree anything with the government until they gained the approval of protesters.
Analysts say that after Thursday's killings, the split between protesters and the government is becoming impossible to bridge.Analysts say that after Thursday's killings, the split between protesters and the government is becoming impossible to bridge.
Mr Fabius said the talks had been difficult because Ukraine "is or was on the verge of civil war".Mr Fabius said the talks had been difficult because Ukraine "is or was on the verge of civil war".
Video footage on Thursday showed protesters walking directly towards the police, even as they fired handguns and rifles.Video footage on Thursday showed protesters walking directly towards the police, even as they fired handguns and rifles.
Police also shot protesters who went to help wounded colleagues.Police also shot protesters who went to help wounded colleagues.
Some of the protesters were armed with hunting rifles, and some threw petrol bombs.Some of the protesters were armed with hunting rifles, and some threw petrol bombs.
There were also reports that dozens of police had been taken hostage.There were also reports that dozens of police had been taken hostage.
But most of the protesters were unarmed, and tried to protect themselves from the bullets with homemade shields.But most of the protesters were unarmed, and tried to protect themselves from the bullets with homemade shields.
MPs assembled for a session of parliament on Thursday afternoon voted to condemn the violence. MPs voted to condemn the violence on Thursday in a motion supported by more than 30 members of Mr Yanukovych's Party of Regions.
They also called for the use of weapons against protesters to be banned, and for troops and police deployed against them to be withdrawn. Mr Yanukovych's authority was also hit by the defection of the mayor of Kiev and the resignation of the armed forces deputy general staff, Gen Yuriy Dumansky.
The session was attended by 239 out of 450 MPs, most of them from opposition parties. On Friday morning, a group of security forces personnel arrived in Kiev from the city of Lviv vowing to protect the protesters, after having apparently defected.
A presidential statement blamed the opposition for the violence, and dismissed calls for a truce as "nothing but a way of playing for time to mobilise and arm militants".
Are you in Ukraine? Have you seen or taken part in any of the protests? Email your stories to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with the subject heading 'Ukraine'.Are you in Ukraine? Have you seen or taken part in any of the protests? Email your stories to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with the subject heading 'Ukraine'.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions