10:35
21.2.2014
The agencies are quoting an unnamed senior EU diplomat saying that he expects "a temporary agreement to be signed today," adding that the pact would provide for some constitutional reforms and early presidential and parliamentary elections at a date yet to be set.
Germany's dpa news agency said the deal provides for a new interim government within 10 days. Earlier Friday, Ukraine's presidential press service said an agreement on resolving the crisis had been reached following all-night emergency talks. In a statement, it said the deal -- reached after marathon talks involving Yanukovych, the opposition, and EU ministers -- would be initialed Friday but gave no details.
10:41
21.2.2014
Our correspondent Robert Coalson was recently in Crimea looking at the rise of pro-Russian separatism.
The Ukrainian and Russian wire agencies are reporting that the Crimean parliament will have an extraordinary session today to discuss the ongoing crisis in Kyiv:
The Ukrainian and Russian wire agencies are reporting that the Crimean parliament will have an extraordinary session today to discuss the ongoing crisis in Kyiv:
Reports say the parliament of Ukraine's Crimea will hold an extraordinary session amid controversial statements on the peninsula's possible separation from Ukraine.
Crimean lawmaker Refat Chubarov said that parliament would hold a session at midday Friday to discuss the ongoing political crisis in Kyiv.
The Crimean parliament has not officially announced such a session yet, however. On Thursday, media outlets across Ukraine cited reports published in the "Argumenty nedeli-Krym" newspaper that several Crimean supporters of President Viktor Yanukovych had been killed by unknown attackers on their way back from Kyiv.
The information has not been confirmed, however. Meanwhile, Crimea's Prime Minister Anatolyy Mohylyov harshly criticized Crimean parliament speaker Volodymyr Konstantynov on Friday for his statement in which he said Crimea may split from Ukraine if the deadly antigovernment protests "ruin Ukraine."
Crimean lawmaker Refat Chubarov said that parliament would hold a session at midday Friday to discuss the ongoing political crisis in Kyiv.
The Crimean parliament has not officially announced such a session yet, however. On Thursday, media outlets across Ukraine cited reports published in the "Argumenty nedeli-Krym" newspaper that several Crimean supporters of President Viktor Yanukovych had been killed by unknown attackers on their way back from Kyiv.
The information has not been confirmed, however. Meanwhile, Crimea's Prime Minister Anatolyy Mohylyov harshly criticized Crimean parliament speaker Volodymyr Konstantynov on Friday for his statement in which he said Crimea may split from Ukraine if the deadly antigovernment protests "ruin Ukraine."
10:47
21.2.2014
Another stark Kyiv "before and after" photo:
Ни при одном президенте такого не было. #Євромайдан #Евромайдан #Euromaidan pic.twitter.com/9NW9OTh7mI
— ЄВРОМАЙДАН (@euromaidan) February 21, 2014
11:03
21.2.2014
Yanukovych announces early elections and return to 2004 Constitution
Here are the three major points:
- Early presidential elections
- A return to the 2004 Constitution
- The formation of a government of national unity.
"As the President of Ukraine and the Guarantor of the Constitution, today I do my duty to the people, to Ukraine and to the Lord God in the name of the state, in the name of saving people's lives and in the name of peace and tranquility in our lands."
Here are the three major points:
- Early presidential elections
- A return to the 2004 Constitution
- The formation of a government of national unity.
"As the President of Ukraine and the Guarantor of the Constitution, today I do my duty to the people, to Ukraine and to the Lord God in the name of the state, in the name of saving people's lives and in the name of peace and tranquility in our lands."
11:05
21.2.2014
Moving eyewitness accounts translated from people's Facebook posts http://t.co/dkEbbCeCaZ
— Luke Allnutt (@lukeallnutt) February 21, 2014
11:18
21.2.2014
I know negotiations are important and peace should come,but Ukraine will be in chaos as long as Yanuk's Pres.ppl won't obey him now.
— Kateryna_Kruk (@Kateryna_Kruk) February 21, 2014
11:26
21.2.2014
From the Russian tabloid, "Komsoloskaya Pravda":
"Having taken Ukraine, [the extremists] aim for Russia."
"Having taken Ukraine, [the extremists] aim for Russia."
11:29
21.2.2014
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, who was involved in talks with Yanukovych:
11:54
21.2.2014
Together with F.W.Steinmeier on the way to meet Maidan activists to discuss the draft agreement.
— Radosław Sikorski (@sikorskiradek) February 21, 2014
11:55
21.2.2014
Fantastic photo by AFP's Louisa Gouliamaki of protesters in Kiev singing their national anthem this morning #ukraine pic.twitter.com/RU86wUqXPf
— Mike Hills (@mikewhills) February 21, 2014