Agreement on settlement of political crisis in Ukraine
The Agreement on the Settlement of the Political Crisis in Ukraine was an agreement to reduce bloodshed at Euromaidan demonstrations in Kyiv, which had become significantly more violent during the Revolution of Dignity and resulted in the deaths of over 100 people. The agreement also aimed to end the political crisis caused by Euromaidan, which began in November 2013 in response to Ukrainian authorities' decision to suspend the process of signing an association agreement with the European Union. It was signed on 21 February 2014 by the then-President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, and the leaders of Ukraine's parliamentary opposition through the mediation of the European Union and Russia.
Yanukovych and opposition leaders signing the agreement
President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych signing the Agreement, 21 February 2014.
Arseniy Yatsenyuk and President Barack Obama in the Oval Office. 12 March 2014.
Press conference of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the situation in Ukraine. 4 March 2014.
Euromaidan, or the Maidan Uprising, was a wave of demonstrations and civil unrest in Ukraine, which began on 21 November 2013 with large protests in Maidan Nezalezhnosti in Kyiv. The protests were sparked by President Viktor Yanukovych's sudden decision not to sign the European Union–Ukraine Association Agreement, instead choosing closer ties to Russia and the Eurasian Economic Union. Ukraine's parliament had overwhelmingly approved of finalizing the Agreement with the EU, but Russia had put pressure on Ukraine to reject it. The scope of the protests widened, with calls for the resignation of Yanukovych and the Azarov government. Protesters opposed what they saw as widespread government corruption, abuse of power, human rights violations, and the influence of oligarchs. Transparency International named Yanukovych as the top example of corruption in the world. The violent dispersal of protesters on 30 November caused further anger. Euromaidan led to the 2014 Revolution of Dignity.
Clockwise from top left: A large European flag is waved across Maidan on 27 November 2013; opposition activist and popular singer Ruslana addresses the crowds on Maidan on 29 November 2013; Euromaidan on European Square on 1 December; plinth of the toppled Lenin statue; crowds direct hose at militsiya; tree decorated with flags and posters.
Protesters in Kyiv, 29 December 2013
Opposition leaders Vitali Klitschko, Arseniy Yatsenyuk and Oleh Tyahnybok, addressing demonstrators, 27 November 2013
Euromaidan protestors on 27 November 2013, Kyiv, Ukraine