Ukraine's President Voted Out, Flees Kiev

 

 

UKRAINE’S PRESIDENT VOTED OUT, FLEES KIEV

Earlier today, Ukraine's parliament voted to remove President Viktor Yanukovych from office, after months of anti-government protest. Yanukovich, decrying the actions as a "coup", fled Kiev, as the heads of Ukraine's security forces appeared in parliament to declare they would not take part in any conflict with the people. Legislators also freed Yanukovich's biggest rival, former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, who had been imprisoned since 2011 for what is widely believed to be politically motivated reasons. After the President fled, security forces also abandoned his official residence outside Kiev, and hundreds of protesters and locals walked right in, roaming the lavish estate and its grounds. Parliament also slated new presidential elections for May 25. Collected here are photos from Ukraine over the past 24 hours, as citizens celebrate, mourn, and plan for a new future. Also, see: Kiev Truce Shattered, Dozens Killed, from yesterday. Protesters celebrate as they ride atop a truck in central Kiev, on February 22, 2014. Ukraine's parliament voted to hold early presidential elections on May 25, passing a resolution stating that Viktor Yanukovych had failed to properly fulfill his duties as president. The resolution said that Yanukovych "is removing himself (from power) because he is not fulfilling his obligations, and (that parliament) is setting elections for May 25." (AP Photo/Darko Bandic) 2 Anti-government protesters light torches and mobile devices during a rally in central Independence Square in Kiev, on February 21, 2014. (Reuters/Baz Ratner) # 3 People mourn near a coffin with the body of a man, who was killed in recent clashes between anti-government protesters, Interior Ministry members and riot police, during a funeral ceremony in Kiev, on February 22, 2014. (Reuters/Baz Ratner) # 4 An anti-government protester waits outside the parliament building in Kiev, on February 22, 2014.(Bulent Kilic/AFP/Getty Images) # 5 A woman places flowers and candles at a barricade in memory of anti-government protesters killed in recent clashes in central Kiev, on February 22, 2014. (Reuters/Vasily Fedosenko) # 6 An alleged sniper (center) and member of the pro-government forces is beaten by anti-government protestors in Kiev, on February 22, 2014. (Bulent Kilic/AFP/Getty Images) # 7 An alleged sniper is beaten by anti-government protestors in Kiev, on February 22, 2014. (Bulent Kilic/AFP/Getty Images) # 8 A man (center) suspected of being a sniper and member of the pro-government forces is forced by anti-government protestors to pay his respects at a memorial for a victim killed in the recent clashes in Kiev, on February 22, 2014.(Bulent Kilic/AFP/Getty Images) # 9 A young anti-government protester looks through a shield in City Hall in central Kiev, on February 21, 2014.(Piero Quaranta/AFP/Getty Images) # 10 Anti-government protesters attack a deputy of the Party of Regions Vitaly Grushevsky (center) outside the Ukrainian Parliament building in Kiev, on February 22, 2014. (Reuters/Vasily Fedosenko) # 11 A member of Berkut anti-riot unit makes victory sign as troops prepare to leave their barracks in Kiev February 22, 2014. The heads of four Ukrainian security bodies, including the police's Berkut anti-riot units, appeared in parliament on Saturday and declared they would not take part in any conflict with the people. (Reuters/Yannis Behrakis) # 12 The body of an anti-government protester killed in clashes with the police is carried by protesters through Independence Square in Kiev, on February 21, 2014. (AP Photo/ Marko Drobnjakovic) # 13 People listen to speakers on a stage in the center of Kiev's Independence square, on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine.(Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) # 14 Anti-government demonstrators remain in Independence square, on February 22, 2014. (Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) # 15 Opposition members, including leader Vitaly Klitschko (top R) celebrate as the Ukraine's parliament voted to remove President Viktor Yanukovich from office hours after he abandoned his Kiev office to protesters and denounced what he described as a coup, during a session in Kiev, on February 22, 2014. (Reuters/Stringer) # 16 Anti-government protesters react to news from Ukraine's parliament, on February 22, 2014. Protesters took control of Ukraine's capital on Saturday, seizing the president's office as parliament sought to oust him and form a new government.(AP Photo/ Marko Drobnjakovic) # 17 People react after the vote of the Ukrainian Parliament as they rally outside the parliament building in Kiev, on February 22, 2014. Ukraine's parliament on February 22 voted to hold early presidential elections on May 25, passing a resolution stating that Viktor Yanukovych had failed to properly fulfill his duties as president. (Bulent Kilic/AFP/Getty Images) # 18 Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko (left) hugs her daughter Yevgenia upon arrival at the airport in Kiev, on February 22, 2014. Tymoshenko was freed on Saturday during the dramatic ouster of her arch enemy Viktor Yanukovich, setting up a possible run for the presidency in May. (Reuters/Maks Levin) # 19 Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko speaks to the media upon her arrival at the airport in Kiev, on February 22, 2014. Tymoshenko was freed on Saturday from the hospital where she had been held under prison guard for most of the time since she was convicted in 2011. The former prime minister, a bitter rival of President Viktor Yanukovich, waved to supporters from a car as she was driven out of the hospital in the northeastern city if Kharkiv, a Reuters photographer said. Tymoshenko, 53, was jailed in 2011 for abuse of office over a gas deal with Russia but her supporters and Western leaders say her trial was politically motivated.(Reuters/Vasily Fedosenko) # 20 A man takes pictures as anti-government protesters and journalists walk on the grounds of the Mezhyhirya residence of Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovich in the village Novi Petrivtsi, outside Kiev, on February 22, 2014. Hundreds of people entered the grounds of Yanukovich's sprawling residence outside Kiev on Saturday. (Reuters/Konstantin Chernichkin) # 21 A protester guards the entrance to Ukrainian President Yanukovych's countryside residence in Mezhyhirya, on February 22, 2014. Ukrainian security and volunteers from among Independence Square protesters have joined forces to try to protect the presidential countryside retreat from vandalism and looting. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) # 22 People wander around President Viktor Yanukovych's Mezhyhirya estate, which was abandoned by security, on February 22, 2014.(Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) # 23 A protester waves an EU flag at the Ukrainian President Yanukovych's countryside residence in Mezhyhirya, on February 22, 2014.(AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) # 24 Anti-government protesters and journalists view ostriches kept within an enclosure on the grounds of the Mezhyhirya residence of Ukraine's President Yanukovich, on February 22, 2014. (Reuters/Konstantin Chernichkin) # 25 Protesters try to play on a golf course at Ukrainian President Yanukovych's countryside residence in Mezhyhirya, on February 22, 2014. (AP Photo/Andrew Lubimov) # 26 A view of Ukrainian President Yanukovych's countryside residence in Mezhyhirya, on February 22, 2014. Yanukovych left Kiev for his support base in the country's Russian-speaking east, but an aide said that he has no intention of abandoning power.(AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) # 27 People look through windows of the Mezhyhirya residence of Ukraine's President Yanukovich as anti-government protesters and journalists walk on the grounds in the village Novi Petrivtsi, on February 22, 2014. (Reuters/Konstantin Chernichkin) # 28 A man holds a bottle as anti-government protesters and journalists walk through the grounds of the Mezhyhirya residence of Ukraine's President Yanukovich, on February 22, 2014. Hundreds of people entered the grounds of Yanukovich's sprawling residence outside Kiev on Saturday but had not gone inside the building itself, a Reuters photographer said.(Reuters/Konstantin Chernichkin) # 29 A man stands inside a bathroom with a toilet and bidet apparently decorated with gold feet, as anti-government protesters and journalists walk on the grounds of the residence of President Yanukovich, outside Kiev, on February 22, 2014.(Reuters/Konstantin Chernichkin) # 30 People light candles in remembrance of the people killed during the clashes between anti-government activists and the Ukrainian police forces, in a church in the center of Kiev, on February 22, 2014, after a week of escalating violence.(Piero Quaranta/AFP/Getty Images)

The Ukraine story is far from over. It is actually just getting started. And allow me to predict to the regime change crowd, that you don't have the control that you thought you did. The number who have died so far will pale in comparison to those who are going to die. And I will make you another bet. The US, the EU...all those who worked for regime overthrow in the Ukraine will say that it is not their fault. This situation is nothing like Syria, which itself turned into a disaster. What is the famous line?...you yes..."You ain't seen nothing yet!"... Jim W. Dean ]   Paul Craig Roberts Who’s in charge? Certainly not the bought-and-paid-for-moderates that Washington and the EU hoped to install as the new government of Ukraine. The agreement that the Washington and EU supported opposition concluded with President Yanukovich to end the crisis did not last an hour. Even the former boxing champion, Vitaly Klitschko, who was riding high as an opposition leader until a few hours ago has been booed by the rioters and shoved aside. The newly appointed president by what is perhaps an irrelevant parliament, Oleksandr Turchynov, has no support base among those who overthrew the government. As the BBC reports, “like all of the mainstream opposition politicians, Mr. Turchynov is not entirely trusted or respected by the protesters in Kiev’s Independence Square.” In western Ukraine the only organized and armed force is the ultra-nationalist Right Sector. From the way this group’s leaders speak, they assume that they are in charge. One of the group’s leaders, Aleksandr Muzychko, has pledged to fight against “Jews and Russians until I die.” Asserting the Right Sector’s authority over the situation, Muzychko declared that now that the democratically elected government has been overthrown, “there will be order and discipline” or “Right Sector squads will shoot the bastards on the spot.” The bastards are any protesters who dare to protest the Right Sector’s control. Muzychko declared, “The next president of Ukraine will be from Right Sector.” Another Right Sector leader, Dmitry Yarosh, declared: “the Right Sector will not lay down its arms.” He declared the deal made between the opposition and the President to be “unacceptable” and demanded the liquidation of President Yanukovich’s political party. The Right Sector’s roots go back to the Ukrainians who fought for Adolf Hitler against the Soviet Union during World War 2. It was the Right Sector that introduced armed fighters and turned the tide of the protests in Kiev from peaceful protests in favor of joining the EU to violent attacks on police with the view of overthrowing the democratically elected government, which the Right Sector succeeded in doing. The Right Sector did not overthrow the Ukraine government in order to deliver it into the hands of the Washington and EU paid “opposition.” There is a tendency to discount the Right Sector as a small fringe group, but the Right Sector not only took control of the protests away from the Western supported moderates, as moderate leaders themselves admitted, but also the Right Sector has enough public support to destroy the national monument to the Red Army soldiers who died liberating Ukraine from Nazi Germany. Unlike the US orchestrated toppling of the stature of Saddam Hussein, which was a PR event for the presstitutes in which Iraqis themselves were not involved, Ukrainian rightists’ destruction of the monument commemorating the Red Army’s liberation of the Ukraine had public support. If the Right Sector hates Russians for defeating the Nazis, the Right Sector also hates the US, France, and England for the same reason. The Right Sector is an unlikely political party to take Ukraine into the EU. The Russian parts of Ukraine clearly understand that the Right Sector’s destruction of the monument commemorating the stand of the Red Army against the German troops is a threat against the Russian population of Ukraine. Provincial governments in eastern and southern Ukraine that formerly were part of Russia are organizing militias against the ultra-nationalist threat unleashed by Washington’s stupidity and incompetence and by the naive and gullible Kiev protesters. Having interfered in Ukraine’s internal affairs and lost control, Washington is now issuing ultimatums to Russia not to interfere in Ukraine. Does the idiot Susan Rice, Obama’s neoconservative National Security Advisor, think Putin is going to pay any attention to her ultimatums or to any instruction from a government so militarily incompetent that it was unable to successfully occupy Baghdad after 8 years or to defeat a few thousand lightly armed Taliban after 12 years? In only took a few hours for Russian troops to destroy the American and Israeli trained and armed Georgian army that Washington sent to invade South Ossetia. Riot police in Ukraine fell to their knees to ask for forgiveness for their colleagues who shot and beat antigovernment protesters in the recent Kiev massacre. The extraordinary scenes in Lviv involved the Berkut elite anti-riot force whose members had returned from duty in the capital. They apologised on a stage in front of pro-Europe protesters. Scroll down for video +8 Riot police kneel as they apologize to Lviv residents for taking part in an operation against anti-government protesters in Kiev +8 The officers told locals that they did not beat protesters, during a rally in central Lviv +8 Officers from Lviv Berkut Special Police Unit beg people of Ukraine to forgive them +8 Returning from duty in Kiev, crowds greeted them with chants of 'Shame!' and 'Tribunal' 'I am asking you to forgive us,' said an officer who stood in front of other men. In memory of those who were killed, we want to kneel down.' The officers were greeted with chants of 'Shame!' and 'Tribunal' but they stressed they had not killed or beaten people themselves.

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and security forces deserted the capital Kiev as protesters on February 22 moved to secure state institutions and parliament took steps towards forming a transitional government. The Ukrainian parliament voted to hold early presidential elections in May. Protesters took full control of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych’s residence and provided free access of the premises for Ukrainian and the media. Ukraine’s opposition leader and former premier Yulia Tymoshenko, sentenced to a seven-year jail term in 2011 for abuse of power, was released on February 22. Tymoshenko received a rapturous welcome on Independence Square. “You are heroes, you are the best of Ukraine,” she told the 50,000-strong crowd before breaking down in tears. The latest developments in the ex-Soviet nation’s three-month political crisis came after protesters took control of Kiev’s charred city centre and seized Yanukovych’s lavish residence on a day of dramatic twists and turns. More photos from Ukraine Read more about the conflict here 1 An Ukrainian waves a national flag as he poses in front on of the main buildings in the residence of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych in the Mezhyhirya village near Kiev, Ukraine, 22 February 2014. Protesters took full control of the Yanukovych residence and provided free access of the premises for Ukrainian and the media. Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and security forces deserted the capital Kiev as protesters on 22 February moved to secure state institutions and parliament took steps towards forming a transitional government. EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO # 2 Protesters celebrate as they ride atop of a truck, in central Kiev, Ukraine, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014. Ukraine's embattled president is calling the country's political crisis a coup and says it resembles the rise of Nazis in the 1930s. Viktor Yanukovych also says he has no intention of resigning or leaving the country. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic) # 3 People walk on the territory of Ukrainian President Yanukovych's countryside residence in Mezhyhirya, Kiev's region, Ukraine, Saturday, Feb, 22, 2014. Viktor Yanukovych is not in his official residence of Mezhyhirya, which is about 20 km (12.5 miles) north of the capital. Ukrainian security and volunteers from among Independence Square protesters have joined forces to protect the presidential countryside retreat from vandalism and looting. Yanukovych left Kiev for his support base in the country's Russian-speaking east, but an aide said that he has no intention of abandoning power. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)# 4 Protesters try to play on a golf course at the Ukrainian President Yanukovych's countryside residence in Mezhyhirya, Kiev's region, Ukraine, Saturday, Feb, 22, 2014. Viktor Yanukovych is not in his official residence of Mezhyhirya, which is about 20 kilometres north of the capital. Ukrainian security and volunteers from among Independence Square protesters have joined forces to protect the presidential countryside retreat from vandalism and looting.(AP Photo/Andrew Lubimov) # 5 Protesters with shields and sticks move towards the parliament building in central Kiev, Ukraine, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014. Ukraine's embattled president is calling the country's political crisis a coup and says it resembles the rise of Nazis in the 1930s. Viktor Yanukovych also says he has no intention of resigning or leaving the country. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic) # 6 An alleged sniper (C) and member of the pro-government forces is beaten by anti-government protestors in Kiev on February 22, 2014. The regime of Ukraine's president appeared close to collapse on February 22 as the emboldened opposition took control of central Kiev and key government and parliament positions and voted to immediately free its jailed leader Yulia Tymoshenko. BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images # 7 A man (C) suspected of being a sniper and member of the pro-government forces is detained by anti-government protestors in Kiev on February 22, 2014. The regime of Ukraine's president appeared close to collapse on February 22 as the emboldened opposition took control of central Kiev and key government and parliament positions and voted to immediately free its jailed leader Yulia Tymoshenko. BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images # 8 Activists pay respects to Cossack Maxim Vinitsiya, one of the Ukrainian protesters who died two days ago during the clashes between the protesters and the riot police, on the Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine, 22 February 2014. EPA/Laszlo Beliczay # 9 A coffin with the body of a protester killed in recent clashes is carried through the crowd in central Kiev, Ukraine, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014. Protesters in the Ukrainian capital claimed full control of the city Saturday following the signing of a Western-brokered peace deal aimed at ending the nation's three-month political crisis. The nation's embattled president, Viktor Yanukovych, reportedly had fled the capital for his support base in Ukraine's Russia-leaning east. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) # 10 KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 22: People react Independence square following the announcement that Ukrainian MPs voted to oust President Viktor Yanukovych on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Ukrainian members of parliament have voted to oust Viktor Yanukovych and bring presidential elections forward to the 25th of May. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) # 11 Newly freed Ukrainian opposition icon Yulia Tymoshenko greets people as she arrives to speak at Independence Square on February 22, 2014, moments after parliament voted to hold early presidential elections in May. Ukraine's opposition leader and former premier Yulia Tymoshenko, sentenced to a seven-year jail term in 2011 for abuse of power, was released on February 22. Tymoshenko received a rapturous welcome on Independence Square. "You are heroes, you are the best of Ukraine," she told the 50,000-strong crowd before breaking down in tears. The latest developments in the ex-Soviet nation's three-month political crisis came after protesters took control of Kiev's charred city centre and seized Yanukovych's lavish residence on a day of dramatic twists and turns. ANOVANATOLII STEPANOV/AFP/Getty Images # 12 Anti-government protesters hold a portrait of Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko while she speaks to a crowd at a rally in Kiev Ukraine, 22 February 2014. Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko on 22 February appeared on the stage of Kiev's Independence Square, or Maidan, hours after being released from prison. Tymoshenko, who was in a wheelchair, first praised the protesters and those who were killed during last week's unrest. 'The heroes never die' she said with a tearful voice. The Square was packed with tens of thousands of people. The former Ukrainian Prime Minister, who was sentenced to seven years in jail for abuse of office in 2011, earlier said she will stand for president in May, the Itar-Tass news agency reported. The Ukrainian parliament on 22 February set early presidential elections for 25 May 2014. EPA/MAXIM SHIPENKOV # 13 A body of an anti-government protester, killed in clashes with police, is brought to Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014. Protesters took control of Ukraine's capital Saturday, seizing the president's office as parliament voted to remove him and hold new elections. (AP Photo/ Marko Drobnjakovic) # 14 Former Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko addresses the crowd in central Kiev, Ukraine, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014. Hours after being released from prison, former Ukrainian prime minister and opposition icon Yulia Tymoshenko praised the demonstrators killed in violence this week as heroes. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic) # 15 Anti-government protesters gather on the Independent square in Kiev on February 21, 2014. The Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and three main opposition leaders signed a deal on February 21 to end a three-month crisis over the ex-Soviet country's political future that has led to nearly 100 deaths. The pact paving the way for early elections and a shift in political power toward parliament was signed in the Blue Hall of the presidential palace in the presence of three EU envoys, an AFP correspondent said. BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images # 16 Supporters listen to former Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko as she addresses the crowd in central Kiev, Ukraine, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014. Hours after being released from prison, former Ukrainian prime minister and opposition icon Yulia Tymoshenko praised the demonstrators killed in violence this week as heroes. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic) # 17 A priest stands on February 21, 2014 in the ruins of Kiev's Trade Union building. Ukraine's parliament on February 21 voted to return the ex-Soviet country to its 2004 constitution, which limits the president's powers and gives lawmakers the right to appoint key ministers. The constitutional change was supported by 386 deputies in the 450-seat Verkhovna Rada shortly after President Viktor Yanukovych and top opposition leaders signed a deal to end the country's three-month political crisis. SANDRO MADDALENA/AFP/Getty Images # 18 Anti government protesters chant slogans on Independence square on February 21, 2014 in Kiev. Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and three main opposition leaders signed a deal Friday to end a three-month crisis over the ex-Soviet country's political future that has led to nearly 100 deaths. The pact paving the way for early elections and a shift in political power toward parliament was signed in the Blue Hall of the presidential palace in the presence of three EU envoys, an AFP correspondent said. BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images # 19 Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych signs an agreement with the opposition on February 21, 2014. Ukraine's leader and opposition on Friday signed a deal to end the splintered country's worst crisis since independence after three days of carnage left nearly 100 protesters dead and the heart of Kiev resembling a war zone. President Viktor Yanukovych's dramatic decision to hold early elections and form a new unity government was met with caution by the tens of thousands gathered on central Kiev's main square for a protest that began exactly three months earlier. SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images # 20 Anti-government protesters stand beneath a giant poster of jailed former Ukrainian Prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko as they attend a rally on Independence square in Kiev on February 21, 2014. Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and three main opposition leaders signed a deal on February 21 to end a three-month crisis over the ex-Soviet country's political future that has led to nearly 100 deaths. The pact paving the way for early elections and a shift in political power toward parliament was signed in the Blue Hall of the presidential palace in the presence of three EU envoys, an AFP correspondent said. BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images # 21 A general view of Independence square is seen during the face off against heavily-armed police February 20, 2014 in Kiev. Armed protesters stormed police barricades in Kiev on Thursday in renewed violence that killed at least 26 people and shattered an hours-old truce as EU envoys held crisis talks with Ukraine's embattled president. Bodies of anti-government demonstrators lay amid smoldering debris after masked protesters hurling Molotov cocktails and stones forced police from Kiev's iconic Independence Square -- the epicentre of the ex-Soviet country's three-month-old crisis. (BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images) # 22 Anti-government protesters rebuild barricades following continued clashes with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling to oust President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) # 23 Activists pay respects to protesters killed in clashes with police, in Kiev's Independence Square, the epicenter of the country's current unrest, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014. Fierce clashes between police and protesters, some including gunfire, shattered a brief truce in Ukraine's besieged capital Thursday, killing numerous people. The deaths came in a new eruption of violence just hours after the country's embattled president and the opposition leaders demanding his resignation called for a truce and negotiations to try to resolve Ukraine's political crisis. (AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov) # 24 Women prepare Molotov cocktails for anti-government protesters near Independence Square on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Dozens of protesters were reportedly been killed after violence flared again between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling to oust President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) # 25 Protesters stand behind burning barricades during a face-off against police on February 20, 2014 in Kiev. Hundreds of armed protesters charged police barricades Thursday on Kiev's central Independence Square, despite a truce called just hours earlier by the country's embattled president. Protesters pushed the police back about 200 meters and were in control of most of the square they had occupied at the start of Ukraine's three-month-old political crisis. (BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images) # 26 Protesters burn as they stand behind burning barricades during clashes with police on February 20, 2014 in Kiev. Ukraine's embattled leader announced a "truce" with the opposition as he prepared to get grilled by visiting EU diplomats over clashes that killed 26 and left the government facing diplomatic isolation. The shocking scale of the violence three months into the crisis brought expressions of grave concern from the West and condemnation of an "attempted coup" by the Kremlin. (BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images) # 27 Anti-government demonstrators clash with riot police in central Kiev on February 18, 2014. Opposition leader Vitali Klitschko on February 18 urged women and children to leave the opposition's main protest camp on Kiev's Independence Square, known as Maidan, as riot police massed nearby. "We ask women and children to quit Maidan as we cannot rule out the possibility that they will storm (the camp)," the former heavyweight boxing champion told protestors on the square. (SANDRO MADDALENA/AFP/Getty Images) # 28 A protestor stands near the barricades during clashes with riot police in central Kiev on February 20, 2014 in Kiev. At least 25 protesters were killed on February 20 in fresh clashes between thousands of demonstrators and heavily-armed riot police in the heart of Kiev, AFP correspondents at the scene said. The bodies of eight demonstrators were lying outside Kiev's main post office on Independence Square, an AFP reporter said. The bodies of 17 other demonstrators with apparent gunshot wounds were also seen in the vicinity of two hotels on opposite sides of the protest encampment. (BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images) # 29 Anti-government protesters sleep on the floor inside the Mikhailovsky Monastery, which has been converted into a makeshift hospital, on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) # 30 An opposition demonstrator holds a Molotov cocktail during clashes with police in Kiev on February 18, 2014. Opposition leader Vitali Klitschko on Tuesday urged women and children to leave the opposition's main protest camp on Kiev's Independence Square, known as Maidan, as riot police massed nearby. "We ask women and children to quit Maidan as we cannot rule out the possibility that they will storm (the camp)," the former heavyweight boxing champion told protestors on the square. (PIERO QUARANTA/AFP/Getty Images) # 31 Molotov cocktails and rocks are placed next to barricades as anti-government protesters, continue to clash with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling to oust President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) # 32 An anti-government protester throw a stone during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014. Thousands of angry anti-government protesters clashed with police in a new eruption of violence following new maneuvering by Russia and the European Union to gain influence over this former Soviet republic. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) # 33 In this satellite image provided by Skybox Imaging and taken by SkySat-1 on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014 at 11:10 a.m. local time, smoke rises from the site of anti-government protests, upper center, in Kiev, Ukraine. Thousands of riot police armed with stun grenades and water cannons attacked the sprawling protest camp in the center of Kiev on Tuesday, following a day of street battles that left 18 people dead and hundreds injured. (AP Photo/Skybox Imaging) # 34 Anti-government protesters clash with police in front of the Ukrainian Parliament in Kiev on February 18, 2014. At least three anti-government protesters were killed and some 150 others injured, some seriously, today in fresh clashes between police and demonstrators protesting near Ukraine's parliament building in Kiev. Medics at an opposition-run field hospital said that most of the injuries were caused by stun grenades while some of the 30 people in a serious condition had suffered head injuries, and one person had to have a hand amputated. (SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) # 35 Anti-government protesters clash with the police during their storming of the Independence Square in Kiev on February 18, 2014. Flames engulfed the main anti-government protest camp on Kiev's Independence Square on Tuesday as riot police tried to force demonstrators out following the bloodiest clashes in three months of protests. The iconic square turned into a war zone as riot police moved slowly through opposition barricades from several directions, hurling stun grenades and using water cannon to clear protestors. (GENYA SAVILOV/AFP/Getty Images) # 36 An anti-government protester is engulfed in flames during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014. Thousands of angry anti-government protesters clashed with police in a new eruption of violence following new maneuvering by Russia and the European Union to gain influence over this former Soviet republic. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) # 37 A protestor stands near barricades during clashes with riot police in central Kiev on February 20, 2014 in Kiev. At least 25 protesters were killed on February 20 in fresh clashes between thousands of demonstrators and heavily-armed riot police in the heart of Kiev, AFP correspondents at the scene said. The bodies of eight demonstrators were lying outside Kiev's main post office on Independence Square, an AFP reporter said. The bodies of 17 other demonstrators with apparent gunshot wounds were also seen in the vicinity of two hotels on opposite sides of the protest encampment. (BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images) # 38 Anti-government protesters rebuild barricades following continued clashes with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling to oust President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) # 39 People take part in a mass rally on Independence square in Kiev, on February 16, 2014. Ukraine's political situation has been volatile since a massive protest movement erupted in November when Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych rejected a key EU trade pact in favour of closer ties with Russia, angering pro-EU parts of the population. The movement has since evolved into an outright drive to oust Yanukovych, while protesters still occupy Kiev's central Independence square. (MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/Getty Images) # 40 Protesters clash with police after gaining new positions near the Independence square in Kiev on February 20, 2014. Hundreds of armed protesters charged police barricades Thursday on Kiev's central Independence Square, despite a truce called just hours earlier by the country's embattled president. Protesters pushed the police back about 200 meters and were in control of most of the square they had occupied at the start of Ukraine's three-month-old political crisis. (LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) # 41 An artist paints the portrait of an anti-government protester wearing a full military outfit on a barricade in Kiev, on February 16, 2014. Ukraine's political situation has been volatile since a massive protest movement erupted in November when Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych rejected a key EU trade pact in favour of closer ties with Russia, angering pro-EU parts of the population. The movement has since evolved into an outright drive to oust Yanukovych, while protesters still occupy Kiev's central Independence square. (MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/Getty Images) # 42 Paramedics carry a protester wounded during clashes with riot police in central Kiev on February 20, 2014. Anti-government protesters take cover while under fire from police snipers during clashes with riot police in central Kiev on February 20, 2014. At least 25 protesters were killed on February 20 in fresh clashes between thousands of demonstrators and heavily-armed riot police in the heart of Kiev, AFP correspondents at the scene said. The bodies of eight demonstrators were lying outside Kiev's main post office on Independence Square, an AFP reporter said. The bodies of 17 other demonstrators with apparent gunshot wounds were also seen in the vicinity of two hotels on opposite sides of the protest encampment. (BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images) # 43 Protesters light petrol bombs as they stand behind barricades during clashes with police on February 20, 2014 in Kiev. Ukraine's embattled leader announced a "truce" with the opposition as he prepared to get grilled by visiting EU diplomats over clashes that killed 26 and left the government facing diplomatic isolation. The shocking scale of the violence three months into the crisis brought expressions of grave concern from the West and condemnation of an "attempted coup" by the Kremlin. (BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images) # 44 A woman prays by a makeshift shrine in Kiev, on February 15, 2014. Ukraine's political situation has been volatile since a massive protest movement erupted in November when Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych rejected a key EU trade pact in favour of closer ties with Russia, angering pro-EU parts of the population. The movement has since evolved into an outright drive to oust Yanukovych, while protesters still occupy Kiev's central Independence square. (MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/Getty Images) # 45 An anti-government protester finds cover during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014. Thousands of angry anti-government protesters clashed with police in a new eruption of violence following new maneuvering by Russia and the European Union to gain influence over this former Soviet republic. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) # 46 Anti-government demonstrators stand on barricades during clashes with riot police in Kiev on February 18, 2014. Opposition leader Vitali Klitschko on February 18 urged women and children to leave the opposition's main protest camp on Kiev's Independence Square, known as Maidan, as riot police massed nearby. "We ask women and children to quit Maidan as we cannot rule out the possibility that they will storm (the camp)," the former heavyweight boxing champion told protestors on the square. (SANDRO MADDALENA/AFP/Getty Images) # 47 An anti-government protester shows empty bullet casings used by riot police against demonstrators in central Kiev on February 20, 2014. At least 25 protesters were killed on February 20 in fresh clashes between thousands of demonstrators and heavily-armed riot police in the heart of Kiev, AFP correspondents at the scene said. The bodies of eight demonstrators were lying outside Kiev's main post office on Independence Square, an AFP reporter said. The bodies of 17 other demonstrators with apparent gunshot wounds were also seen in the vicinity of two hotels on opposite sides of the protest encampment. (BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images) # 48 An anti-government protester aims a gun in the direction of suspected sniper fire near the Hotel Ukraine on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between anti-government protesters and police, with dozens killed. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) # 49 An activist from the Maidan self-defense group armed with a flail guards Kiev's city hall in order to prevent its capture by other anti-government activists during their confrontation in Kiev, on February 16, 2014. Hundreds of anti-government protesters in Kiev threatened to retake Kiev's city hall just hours after evacuating the building, if authorities did not immediately drop criminal charges against all fellow activists. Ukraine's political situation has been volatile since a massive protest movement erupted in November when Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych rejected a key EU trade pact in favour of closer ties with Russia, angering pro-EU parts of the population. The movement has since evolved into an outright drive to oust Yanukovych, while protesters still occupy Kiev's central Independence square. (SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) # 50 An anti-government protester uses a slingshot to throw stones towards riot police on Kiev's Independence square on February 19, 2014. Protesters braced on February 19 for a fresh assault by riot police in central Kiev after a day of clashes left at least 25 people dead in the worst violence since the start of Ukraine's three-month political crisis. As dawn rose over Kiev's battered city centre, protesters hurled paving stones and Molotov cocktails at lines of riot police that had pushed into the heart of the devastated protest camp on Independence Square. (PIERO QUARANTA/AFP/Getty Images) # 51 Activists evacuate a wounded protester during clashes with police in Kiev's Independence Square, the epicenter of the country's current unrest, Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014. Fierce clashes between police and protesters, some including gunfire, shattered a brief truce in Ukraine's besieged capital Thursday, killing numerous people. The deaths came in a new eruption of violence just hours after the country's embattled president and the opposition leaders demanding his resignation called for a truce and negotiations to try to resolve Ukraine's political crisis. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) # 52 Paramedic look at the identification document of a killed anti-government protester, in central Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014. A brief truce in Ukraine's embattled capital failed Thursday, spiraling into fierce clashes between police and anti-government protesters. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic) # 53 Anti-government protesters light petrol bombs on the outskirts of Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014. Fierce clashes between police and protesters, some including gunfire, shattered a brief truce in Ukraine's besieged capital Thursday, killing numerous people. The deaths came in a new eruption of violence just hours after the country's embattled president and the opposition leaders demanding his resignation called for a truce and negotiations to try to resolve Ukraine's political crisis. (AP Photo/ Marko Drobnjakovic) # 54 A man holds a smoke bomb as anti-government protestors take part in a protest rally in front of the Prosecutor General building in Kiev on February 14, 2014. Protesters armed with shields and clubs demanded the government stop prosecuting cases against anti-government activists involved in clashes with police. (YURY KIRNICHNY/AFP/Getty Images) # 55 Police clash with anti-government protesters in Kiev on February 18, 2014. Police on Tuesday began an assault on the main anti-government protest camp in Kiev after a day of bloody clashes, AFP journalists at the scene said. Police warned women and children to leave the area as they moved on opposition positions with water cannon while protestors responded by throwing Molotov cocktails and setting fire to part of the tent encampment. (ANATOLII BOIKO/AFP/Getty Images) # 56 Anti-government protesters dig up cobblestones to use them as rocks against riot police on Kiev's Independence square on February 19, 2014. Protesters braced on February 19 for a fresh assault by riot police in central Kiev after a day of clashes left at least 25 people dead in the worst violence since the start of Ukraine's three-month political crisis. As dawn rose over Kiev's battered city centre, protesters hurled paving stones and Molotov cocktails at lines of riot police that had pushed into the heart of the devastated protest camp on Independence Square. (GENYA SAVILOV/AFP/Getty Images) # 57 An anti-government protester prepares to throw a stone at riot police while another holds up a cross during clashes on Kiev's Independence square on February 19, 2014. Protesters braced on February 19 for a fresh assault by riot police in central Kiev after a day of clashes left at least 25 people dead in the worst violence since the start of Ukraine's three-month political crisis. As dawn rose over Kiev's battered city centre, protesters hurled paving stones and Molotov cocktails at lines of riot police that had pushed into the heart of the devastated protest camp on Independence Square. (PIERO QUARANTA/AFP/Getty Images) # 58 A high-ranking police officer, left, and a protester representative hold talks near the Cabinet of Ministers in the center Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014. Fierce clashes between police and protesters, some including gunfire, shattered a brief truce in Ukraine's besieged capital Thursday, killing numerous people. The deaths came in a new eruption of violence just hours after the country's embattled president and the opposition leaders demanding his resignation called for a truce and negotiations to try to resolve Ukraine's political crisis. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) # 59 Anti-government protesters take cover as they are under fire reportedly of police sniper during clashes police in the center of Kiev on February 20, 2014. Armed protesters stormed police barricades in Kiev on Thursday in renewed violence that killed at least 26 people and shattered an hours-old truce as EU envoys held crisis talks with Ukraine's embattled president. Bodies of anti-government demonstrators lay amid smouldering debris after masked protesters hurling Molotov cocktails and stones forced police from Kiev's iconic Independence Square -- the epicentre of the ex-Soviet country's three-month-old crisis. (SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) # 60 Anti-government protesters, continue to their clash with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) # 61 Two anti-government protesters sit at a bus stop next to Independence Square on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Dozens of protesters were reportedly been killed after violence flared again between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling to oust President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) # 62 An anti-government protester talks to an elderly woman on the Maidan (Independence square) in Kiev, on February 15, 2014. Ukraine's political situation has been volatile since a massive protest movement erupted in November when Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych rejected a key EU trade pact in favour of closer ties with Russia, angering pro-EU parts of the population. The movement has since evolved into an outright drive to oust Yanukovych, while protesters still occupy Kiev's central Independence square. (MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/Getty Images) # 63 A protester in a balaclava and a flak jacket plays the piano in Kiev's Independence Square, the epicenter of the country's current unrest, Ukraine, Friday, Feb. 14, 2014. A Ukrainian opposition group says that all the protesters detained during nearly three months of opposition demonstrations have been released under an amnesty law. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) # 64 A anti-government protester prepares to throw a Molotov cocktail at riot police on Kiev's Independence square on February 19, 2014. Protesters braced on February 19 for a fresh assault by riot police in central Kiev after a day of clashes left at least 25 people dead in the worst violence since the start of Ukraine's three-month political crisis. As dawn rose over Kiev's battered city centre, protesters hurled paving stones and Molotov cocktails at lines of riot police that had pushed into the heart of the devastated protest camp on Independence Square. (PIERO QUARANTA/AFP/Getty Images) # 65 An anti-government protester smokes sitting on a tyre by a barricade in Kiev, on February 15, 2014. Ukraine's political situation has been volatile since a massive protest movement erupted in November when Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych rejected a key EU trade pact in favour of closer ties with Russia, angering pro-EU parts of the population. The movement has since evolved into an outright drive to oust Yanukovych, while protesters still occupy Kiev's central Independence square. (MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/Getty Images) # 66 Opposition demonstrators stand in front of burning barricades during clashes with police in Kiev on February 18, 2014. Opposition leader Vitali Klitschko on Tuesday urged women and children to leave the opposition's main protest camp on Kiev's Independence Square, known as Maidan, as riot police massed nearby. "We ask women and children to quit Maidan as we cannot rule out the possibility that they will storm (the camp)," the former heavyweight boxing champion told protestors on the square. (PIERO QUARANTA/AFP/Getty Images) # 67 Night falls as anti-government protesters rebuild barricades, following continued clashes with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling to oust President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) # 68 An anti-government protester holds a crucifix as he prays at Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014. Ukraine's protest leaders and the president they aim to oust called a truce Wednesday, just hours after the military raised fears of a widespread crackdown with a vow to defeat "terrorists" responsible for seizing weapons and burning down buildings. (AP Photo/ Marko Drobnjakovic) # 69 An anti-government protester holds a firearm as he mans a barricade on the outskirts of Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014. Fierce clashes between police and protesters, some including gunfire, shattered a brief truce in Ukraine's besieged capital Thursday, killing numerous people. The deaths came in a new eruption of violence just hours after the country's embattled president and the opposition leaders demanding his resignation called for a truce and negotiations to try to resolve Ukraine's political crisis. (AP Photo/ Marko Drobnjakovic) # 70 Police officers block the entrance to the Cabinet of Ministers in the center of Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014. Fierce clashes between police and protesters, some including gunfire, shattered a brief truce in Ukraine's besieged capital Thursday, killing numerous people. The deaths came in a new eruption of violence just hours after the country's embattled president and the opposition leaders demanding his resignation called for a truce and negotiations to try to resolve Ukraine's political crisis. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) # 71 A photo taken on February 18, 2014 shows a riot police whose helmet is burning, shielding himself during clashes with anti-government protesters in central Kiev. At least five people were killed and scores injured on February 18 as anti-government protestors battled riot police in Kiev in the first outbreak of violence in weeks. Police said five civilians have died in clashes that prompted the city to shut down the subway system and issued a grave warning to protesters, with riot police troops massing near the Independence Square protest hub. (GENYA SAVILOV/AFP/Getty Images) # 72 Anti-government protestors of the "14 Hundred Self-Defense" group face police as they take part in a protest rally in front of the Prosecutor General building in Kiev on February 14, 2014. Protesters armed with shields and clubs demanded the government stop prosecuting cases against anti-government activists involved in clashes with police. (YURY KIRNICHNY/AFP/Getty Images) # 73 A priest holds a cross and shield during clashes between anti-government protesters and riot police in central Kiev on February 20, 2014. Ukraine's brittle truce was shattered on February 20 in fierce clashes between baton-wielding protesters and riot police that claimed at least 27 lives just as EU envoys were holding crisis talks with the embattled president. Bodies of anti-government demonstrators lay amid smoldering debris after masked protesters hurling Molotov cocktails and stones forced gun-toting police from Kiev's iconic Independence Square -- the epicentre of the ex-Soviet country's three-month-old crisis. (SERGEY GAPON/AFP/Getty Images) # 74 Anti-government protesters carry the injured during continued clashes with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling to oust President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) # 75 A man kisses a woman on the forehead near a barricade on Independence square in Kiev, on February 14, 2014. Ukraine's opposition will be planning a mysterious "peaceful offensive" at a new mass protest on February 16 to put pressure on authorities, as negotiations to exit the crisis appear to have stalled. Anti-government protesters have occupied Kiev's central Independence Square for almost three months after President Viktor Yanukovych rejected a key EU trade pact in favour of closer ties with Russia. (MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/Getty Images) # 76 An anti-government protester sits on the Founders of Kiev monument during clashes with riot police in central Kiev on February 20, 2014. At least 25 protesters were killed on February 20 in fresh clashes between thousands of demonstrators and heavily-armed riot police in the heart of Kiev, AFP correspondents at the scene said. The bodies of eight demonstrators were lying outside Kiev's main post office on Independence Square, an AFP reporter said. The bodies of 17 other demonstrators with apparent gunshot wounds were also seen in the vicinity of two hotels on opposite sides of the protest encampment. (LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) # 77 An anti-government protester takes a break at Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014. Fearing that a call for a truce was a ruse, protesters tossed firebombs and advanced upon police lines Thursday in Ukraine's embattled capital. Government snipers shot back and the almost medieval melee that ensued left scores of people dead. (AP Photo/ Marko Drobnjakovic) # 78 Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Kiev's Independence Square, the epicenter of the country's current unrest, in Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014. Ukraine's protest leaders and the president they aim to oust called a truce Wednesday, just hours after the military raised fears of a widespread crackdown with a vow to defeat "terrorists" responsible for seizing weapons and burning down buildings. (AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov) # 79 An anti-government protester watches the burning fires at Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014. Ukraine's protest leaders and the president they aim to oust called a truce Wednesday, just hours after the military raised fears of a widespread crackdown with a vow to defeat "terrorists" responsible for seizing weapons and burning down buildings. (AP Photo/ Marko Drobnjakovic) #

Ukraine has experienced its bloodiest week in decades after days of deadly clashes between anti-government protesters and police which ended in the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych. For three months demonstrators have been involved in a stand-off with authorities in the capital Kiev. But on February 18 violence escalated and the Health Ministry said the death toll between protesters and police had reached 82. The protesters put that figure at over 100. Here are a selection of photographs which capture the devastation caused in Kiev's Independence Square. +89 Fireworks explode near anti-government protesters during clashes with riot police at Independence Square in Kiev on February 18 +89 Activists pay respects to protesters who were killed in clashes with police in Independence Square, the epicentre of demonstrations in Kiev +89 Anti-government protesters carry away a wounded man as riot policemen fire live bullets on them on Independence Square in downtown Kiev +89 A woman lights candles in memory of the victims of clashes between police and protesters in Kiev, at the Ukrainian Embassy in Moscow, Russia +89 This image taken on February 18 shows an aerial view of central Kiev, with 'Maidan' dubbed Independence square (on the left) and smoke billowing from clashes between anti-government protestors and police (centre near the stadium) +89 A general view of Independence Square during protests in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18 +89 Explosive: A general view of Independence Square during protests in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18 +89 Anti-government protesters are wounded after the clash with the police in Kiev on February 18 +89 Ukrainian riot police 18 February launched a massive assault on thousands of anti-government protesters on February 18 in central Kiev +89 Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Kiev's Independence Square, the epicentre of protests in Kiev +89 Smoke from exploding fireworks and fires billows into the night sky as Ukrainians gather on Independence Square during continuing protest in Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18 +89 Wounded people are seen after clashes with riot police in central Kiev on February 18 +89 Wounded men make their way to safety during clashes with police in central Kiev on February 18 +89 An anti-government protester shoots during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18 +89 Armed: A protester uses a slingshot during clashes with police in Kiev on February 18 +89 Violence: Protesters put down barricades during clashes with police in Kiev on February 18 +89 An anti-government protester prepares to throw a Molotov's cocktail during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18 +89 Anti-government protesters clash with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18 +89 An anti-government protester throws a stone during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18 +89 Riot police clash with anti-government protesters outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18 +89 Interior Ministry members are on fire as they stand guard during clashes with anti-government protesters in Kiev on February 18 +89 Unrest: Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Kiev on February 18 +89 Anti-government protesters shield themselves and wear gas masks during a demonstration in Kiev on February 18 +89 Conflict: Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Kiev on February 18 +89 Terrified: Wounded people are seen after clashes with riot police in central Kiev on February 18 +89 Anti-government demonstrators stand among the smoke of burning barricades during clashes with riot police in Kiev on February 18 +89 War: A protester holds a makeshft shield during clashes with police in Kiev on February 18 +89 Protesters clash with riot police during the continuing protest in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18 +89 Anger: Anti-government protesters in Kiev, Ukraine stand in a line with shields on February 18 +89 An anti-government protester wrapped in the Ukrainian national flag stands by a barricade during clashes with riot police on Kiev's Independence Square on February 19 +89 Crisis: Anti-government protesters clash with the police in Independence Square in Kiev early on February 19 +89 An anti-government protester stands behind a barricade during clashes with riot police in Kiev's Independence Square on February 19 +89 Anti-government protesters prepare Molotov cocktails during clashes with riot police on Kiev's Independence Square on February 19 +89 Anti-government protesters gather stones during a rally in central Kiev on February 19 +89 An anti-government protester gathers stones during a rally in central Kiev on February 19 +89 Riot police officers stand in line during on-going protests on Independence Square in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, on February 19 +89 Smoke rises above Independence Square during anti-government protests in central Kiev in the early hours of February 19 +89 An anti-government protester prepares to throw a cobblestone towards riot police during clashes on Kiev's Independence Square on February 19 +89 An anti-government protester uses a slingshot to throw stones towards riot police on Kiev's Independence Square on February 19 +89 An anti-government protester wears a gas mask during clashes with riot police on Kiev's Independence Square on February 19 +89 Anti-government protesters stand on February 19 outside the remains of the Trade Union building on Kiev's Independence Square during clashes with riot police +89 A protester uses a catapult during clashes with riot police in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, on February 19 +89 Anti-government demonstrators prepare stones during clashes with police near Kiev's Independence Square, known as Maidan, on February 19 +89 Anti-government protesters walk near a barricade in Independence Square in central Kiev February 19 +89 Police form a barrier in Independence Square in Kiev on February 19 +89 Berkut riot police throw stones at anti-government protesters, who are throwing rocks back, in Independence Square on February 19 +89 Anti-government protesters throw rocks at riot police during clashes on Kiev's Independence Square on February 19 +89 Riot police officers stand on Independence Square during on-going anti-government protests in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, on February 19 +89 A general view of Independence Square during on-going anti-government protests in downtown Kiev, Ukraine on February 19 +89 Anti-government protesters reinforce a barricade during clashes with the police in the centre of Kiev on February 20 +89 Scores of protesters were killed on February 20 in fresh clashes between thousands of demonstrators and heavily-armed riot police in the heart of Kiev +89 Men cover a dead body in Independence Square in Kiev on February 20 +89 An anti-government protester carries a rifle across Independence Square in Kiev on February 20 +89 Opposition protesters carry old tyres to be burnt during violent clashes between anti-government demonstrators and Ukrainian police on February 20 +89 Protesters try to protect themselves from fire as they stand behind burning barricades during clashes with police on February 20 in Kiev +89 Anti-government protesters clash with police in Kiev's Independence Square on February 20 +89 A protestor sits on a statue while others stand on a barricade during clashes with police in Kiev on February 20 +89 An injured man is taken to an ambulance on February 20 following three days of fighting in Independence Square in Kiev +89 A protester holds a cartridge and two empty cases he found during clashes with police in central Kiev on February 20 +89 Anti-government protesters carry an injured man on a stretcher after clashes with riot police in the Independence Square in Kiev on February 20 +89 Protesters walk past a barricade at the Independence Square in Kiev on February 20. Armed protesters stormed the police barricades in Kiev +89 People cheer as they listen to police officers from Lviv who have joined anti-government protesters during a rally in Independence Square in Kiev on February 21 +89 A woman mourns during a funeral procession for two anti-government protesters killed in fighting with police on February 21 in Kiev +89 A woman cries during a funeral procession for anti-government protesters killed in clashes with the police at Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine, Friday, February 21 +89 Men carry a casket containing the body of an anti-government protester killed in clashes with police from Independence Square on February 21, 2014 in Kiev +89 Women stand along the path of a funeral procession for two anti-government protesters killed in fighting with police on February 21, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine +89 The body of a dead anti-government demonstrator killed in yesterday's clashes with police is lifted above the crowd in Independence Square on February 21 +89 A man clenches his fist during a funeral procession for anti-government protesters killed in clashes with the police at Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine, on February 21 +89 The body of an anti-government protester killed in clashes with the police is carried by protesters at Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine, on February 21 +89 The body of a dead anti-government demonstrator killed in clashes with police is carried through the streets next to Independence Square on February 21 +89 Demonstrating: Anti-government protesters gather in Independence Square on February 21 in Kiev +89 Anti-government demonstrators stand in Independence Square on February 22, 2014 in Kiev. The opposition called for elections to take place on May 25 and demanded that President Yanukovych stand down immediately +89 A female anti-government demonstrator wears flowers in her helmet in Independence Square, on February 21 +89 Clashes: Ukrainian lawmakers clash during a Parliament session in Kiev on February 21, 2014 +89 Ukrainian lawmakers clash during a Parliament session in Kiev on February 21, 2014 +89 An anti-government protester mans a barricade in Kiev on February 21 during violent clashes on the streets of Kiev +89 Anti-government protesters talk next to an improvised catapult in Independence Square in Kiev on February 21 +89 People celebrate outside the Parliament in Kiev on February 22, 2014 after President Viktor Yanukovych promised to submit his resignation in response to violence that left nearly 100 dead +89 Anti-government demonstrators remain in Independence Square on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. The offices of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych have been left unguarded and the protesters have full control of the streets surrounding the government district +89 Destructive: Molotov cocktails prepared by anti-government protesters are placed inside a tyre in Kiev February 22, 2014 +89 Anti-government demonstrators wearing helmets and masks stand behind their barricade on February 21, in Independent square in Kiev +89 Deputies of the Ukrainian parliament applaud after voting for a constitution change in Kiev on February 21, 2014. Ukraine's parliament voted to return the ex-Soviet country to its 2004 constitution, which limits the president's powers and gives lawmakers the right to appoint key ministers +89 An anti-government demonstrator throws a burning tire before building a barricade on February 21 in Independent Square in Kiev +89 A protestor stands behind a barricade on February 21 in Kiev. Bodies of anti-government demonstrators lay among smouldering debris after masked protesters +89 An anti-government demonstrator killed in clashes with police is mourned in Independence Square in Kiev, on Feb 22 +89 An anti-government demonstrator killed in clashes with police is mourned in Independence Square on February 22 +89 An anti-government demonstrator killed in clashes with police is mourned in Independence Square on Feburary 22 +89 The helmets of an anti-government demonstrator killed in clashes with police were put on display in Independence Square on February 22 +89 Anti-government protesters, one holding the Ukrainian national flag, drive a military vehicle through Independence Square in central Kiev on February 22 America has warned Russia it would be a 'grave mistake' to send military forces into Ukraine as its new leader said it wants to integrate with the European Union. Susan Rice, President Barack Obama's national security adviser said it is not in the interests of Ukraine, Russia, Europe or the United States to see the country split. Speaking on the NBC program 'Meet the Press', Ms Rice was asked about a possible scenario in which Russia would send forces into Ukraine to restore a government more friendly to Moscow. +63 +63 Susan Rice, President Barack Obama's national security adviser said it is not in the interests of Ukraine, Russia, Europe or the United States to see the country split +63 Ms Rice, President Barack Obama's national security adviser, said: 'It is not in the interests of Ukraine or of Russia or of Europe or the United States to see the country split. It's in nobody's interest to see violence return and the situation escalate' +63 People gather for prayers and to listen to speakers in Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine. After a chaotic and violent week, Viktor Yanukovych has been ousted as President as the Ukrainian parliament moves forward with scheduling new elections and establishing a caretaker government +63 People wave a large Ukrainian flag in Independence Square. It comes as Ukraine's new interim president said on Sunday that he was open to dialogue with Russia as long as Moscow respected his country's decision to seek closer ties with the European Union +63 People lay flowers and pay their respects at a memorial for anti-government protesters killed in clashes with police +63 People light candles inside a tent serving as a chapel in Independence Square. The crisis in Ukraine reflects the conflict between those who want the country to remain aligned with Moscow and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and those seeking closer integration with Western Europe +63 A sea of flowers covers the ground where protesters were killed in violent clashes with police +63 People visit Independence Square for what has become a traditional Sunday gathering to protest the government +63 People view floral tributes to anti-government demonstrators killed in clashes with police +63 Anti-Yanukovich protesters attempt to demolish the 'Monument to Soviet secret security service (checkists) - fighters of the revolution'in Kiev February 23, 2014 +63 Activists guard Ukraine's National Bank close to Kiev's Independence Square today. Volunteers are protecting government buildings from vandalism +63 Ukrainian supporters of ousted President Viktor Yanukovich gather to try to prevent Victory celebrations by Maidan supporters in Donetsk +63 Ukrainian President supporters gather to try to prevent Victory celebrations by Maidan supporters in Donetsk. A new era dawned in Ukraine today when parliament appointed a pro-Western interim leader +63 Pro-Russian activists gather to form local public guards to oppose pro-EU groups in Simferopol in Crimea, today +63 Anti-government protesters attack a deputy of the Party of Regions Vitaly Grushevsky (centre bottom) who attempts to take cover outside the Ukrainian Parliament building in Kiev She said: 'That would be a grave mistake. It is not in the interests of Ukraine or of Russia or of Europe or the United States to see the country split. It's in nobody's interest to see violence return and the situation escalate.' Ms Rice's comments are the most extensive from the White House to date since the recent dramatic events unfolded in Ukraine. It comes as Ukraine's new interim president said on Sunday that he was open to dialogue with Russia as long as Moscow respected his country's decision to seek closer ties with the European Union. 'We are ready for a dialogue with Russia... that takes into account Ukraine's European choice, which I hope will be confirmed in (presidential) elections' set for May 25, Oleksandr Turchynov said in a television address. As the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, end Putin is now likely to more closely focus on the Ukrainian situation. The State Department said on Saturday it would send its No. 2 official, Bill Burns, to Kiev this week. Rice said the United States wants a de-escalation of the violence in Ukraine, constitutional changes, democratic elections 'in very short order,' and the opportunity for Ukrainians to come together in a coalition unity government. She said U.S. authorities are not sure where Russian-backed President Viktor Yanukovich has fled. 'He is in a place that will reveal itself. Yesterday we knew where he was. Today we're not so sure,' Rice said. The crisis in Ukraine reflects the conflict between those who want the country to remain aligned with Moscow and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and those seeking closer integration with Western Europe. +63 Former Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko kisses her daughter Eugenia, right, upon her arrival to Kiev's iconic Independence Square to address the assembled crowd