In Pictures

In Pictures: Ukraine on edge

A temporary truce between the government and opposition follows days of violent clashes.

Following deadly clashes, security forces and protesters in Kiev are observing a temporary truce.

25 Jan 2014

Following deadly clashes between protesters and state security forces, President Viktor Yanukovich and opposition leaders agreed to a temporary truce, following a meeting on Thursday. Yanukovich agreed to ensure the release of dozens of detained protesters and stop further detentions if the truce is observed. Although one opposition leader, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, said after the talks that “there is a really good chance” to stop the bloodshed, others were more pessimistic. The ongoing country-wide protests began after Yanukovich turned away from closer ties with the EU in favour of getting a rescue loan from Russia. Demonstrations turned violent this week after the government pushed through harsh anti-protest laws, rejecting protesters’ demands for new elections.

Opposition leaders urged protesters to refrain from violence to avoid further bloodshed.

At least two people were killed by gunfire at the site of clashes in Kiev on Wednesday.

Demonstrators had pelted riot police with stones and set police buses on fire.

Police responded with rubber bullets, tear-gas and stun grenades.

Protests spread in other regions of the country with demonstrators seizing government offices and forcing one governor to resign.

The protests began in November 2013, after President Yanukovych turned away from closer ties with the EU.

They turned violent this week after harsh anti-protest laws were passed and Yanukovych rejected demands for new elections.