Mass rally marks Yanukovich’s return from Sochi / Ukraine amnesty comes into force after protesters retreat

Ukrainian protesters kept up pressure on President Viktor Yanukovich on the 9 February 2014 with a mass rally where opposition leaders called for an end to his 'dictatorial powers. Yanukovich had met Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Sochi Winter Olympics on the 7 February 2014.

On the 13 February 2014, the Ukrainian opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenuyk was sprayed with paint by an unknown attacker. The protesters were still gathering at Maidan Square asking for a government representing their objectives.

On the 16 February 2014, Ukrainian opposition protesters ended a two-month occupation of the City Hall in Kyiv, reaching an amnesty offer aimed at easing a stand-off over President Viktor Yanukovich's rule. The Commission president, José Manuel Barroso, welcomed the move.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel met with Ukrainian opposition leaders in Berlin on the 17 February 2014, while Russian authorities announced they would release the next tranche of financial help both countries agreed upon.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Ukraine leak designed to 'split' EU-US diplomacy http://www.europeansources.info/record/ukraine-leak-designed-to-split-eu-us-diplomacy-the-international-dimension-of-the-ukrainian-situation/

ESO: Background information: Ukrainian protester says he was kidnapped and tortured http://www.europeansources.info/record/ukrainian-protester-says-he-was-kidnapped-and-tortured/

Euronews, 09.02.14: Ukranian protesters charge EU with being silent during country’s political crisis http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/09/ukranian-protesters-charge-eu-with-being-silent-during-country-s-political-/

Deutsche Welle [Interview], 10.02.14: 'We need a permanent EU mission in Ukraine' http://dw.de/p/1B5um

Euronews, 10.02.14: Ukrainian protesters demonstrate in support of axed Russian TV station http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/10/ukrainian-protesters-demonstrate-in-support-of-axed-russian-tv-station/

Spiegel Online International, 12.02.14: Dithering in Kiev: Russia Begins to Lose Patience with Ukraine http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/yanukovych-waffles-as-ukraine-protests-continue-a-952586.html

RIA Novosti, 12.02.14: Yanukovych Agrees to Coalition Government – Parliament Speaker http://en.ria.ru/world/20140212/187474374/Yanukovych-Agrees-to-Coalition-Government--Parliament-Speaker.html

Euronews, 13.02.14: Ukrainian opposition leader gets a face full of paint http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/13/ukrainian-opposition-leader-gets-a-face-full-of-paint/

BBC News, 13.02.14: Ukraine: Firefox add-on promotes anti-government boycott http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-26173112

Euronews, 14.02.14: Ukraine: A Maidan government or nothing says opposition http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/14/ukraine-a-maidan-government-or-nothing-says-opposition/

EurActiv, 17.02.14: EU welcomes end of Ukrainian protestors' City Hall occupation http://www.euractiv.com/europes-east/eu-welcomes-buildings-occupation-news-533550

EUObserver, 15.02.14: Time for EU to get serious on Ukraine http://euobserver.com/opinion/123148

The New York Times, 16.02.14: Protesters Vacate Kiev’s City Hall in Deal for Amnesty http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/17/world/europe/ukrainian-protesters-end-occupation-of-kievs-city-hall.html

BBC News, 17.02.14: Ukraine amnesty comes into force after protesters retreat http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26220905

BBC News [Video], 16.02.14: Ukraine protesters vacate city hall in Kiev http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26215192

Deutsche Welle, 17.02.14: Ukraine prosecutor confirms amnesty after protesters abandon city hall http://dw.de/p/1BA7F

Deutsche Welle, 17.02.14: Ukraine revolution 'exhausted and disoriented' http://dw.de/p/1BA6h

Euronews, 17.02.14: Ukraine: ‘Seeing is believing’ as activists await promised amnesty http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/17/ukraine-seeing-is-believing-as-activists-await-promised-amnesty/

EurActiv, 18.02.14: Kremlin comforts battered Yanukovich with cash injection http://www.euractiv.com/europes-east/kremlin-comforts-battered-yanuko-news-533578

Deutsche Welle, 17.02.14: Merkel meets with Ukraine opposition http://dw.de/p/1BAeT

Euronews, 17.02.14: Ukraine opposition leaders meet Merkel in Germany http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/17/ukraine-opposition-leaders-meet-merkel-in-germany/

The New York Times, 17.02.14: Russia to Release Loan Money for Ukraine, Lifting Leader http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/18/world/europe/german-leaders-meet-with-ukrainian-opposition-leaders.html

BBC News, 18.02.14: Ukraine crisis: Russia to release new $2bn tranche http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26236274

Euronews, 18.02.14: Kremlin promises more cash to Kyiv http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/18/kremlin-promises-more-cash-to-kyiv/

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