Ukraine crisis: Yanukovych announces ‘peace deal’/ Yanukovych flees to Kharkiv / Ukrainian MPs vote to oust President Yanukovych / EU Integration Now Ukraine’s Priority – Acting President

Author (Corporate)
Series Title
Series Details 21.02.14
Publication Date 21/02/2014
Content Type

Reports and analysis of the crisis in Ukraine on the 21, 22 and 23 February 2014.

Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych said on the 21 February 2014 that he had reached a deal with the opposition to end the crisis, after all-night talks mediated by three EU foreign ministers and Russian representatives.

The agreement was announced at midday on the 21 February 2014. According to EUObserver it called 'for constitutional reforms, a coalition and national unity government, a law to restore the 2004 constitution, presidential elections by December 2014, an independent investigation into the violence, and a promise not to impose a state of emergency'.

Euronews and other sources also reported that the Ukranian parliament had voted late on the night of the 20 February 2014 to withdraw its security forces and to ban them from using weapons.

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, issued the following statement: 'I welcome the agreement reached today by the President and the opposition leaders. This agreement opens the way for a political solution to the crisis in Ukraine. A democratic and peaceful solution is the only way forward.

... The EU is ready to lend full support to the implementation of the agreement, in close coordination with the Council of Europe, the Chairman in Office of the OSCE and other relevant partners'.

RIA Novosti, BBC News and other sources reported on the 22 February 2014 of further dramatic developments. Some of the protesters on the streets of Kiev had refused to accept all the details of the Agreement on the Settlement of Crisis in Ukraine.

Subsequently, opposition leaders in Ukraine signaled their intent to seek the early replacement of President Viktor Yanukovych and to demand elections in May 2014. RIA Novosti suggested that the government showed signs of total capitulation following the days of bloody protests.

Euronews and other sources reported that President Viktor Yanukovich had fled to Kharkiv, near the Russian border. The Ukrainian Parliament voted to release ex-PM Yulia Tymoshenko.

BBC News reported that Ukrainian MPs voted on the afternoon of the 22 February 2014 to oust President Viktor Yanukovych and hold early presidential elections on 25 May 2014.

Mr Yanukovych described events as a 'coup' and vowed not to stand down.

It was announced on the 23 February 2014 that EU High Representative Catherine Ashton would travel to Ukraine on the 24 February 2014. In Kiev she was expected to meet key stakeholders and discuss the support of the European Union for a lasting solution to the political crisis and measures to stabilise the economic situation.

RIA Novosti reported on the 23 February 2014 that Oleksandr Turchynov, Ukraine’s newly appointed acting president reaffirmed his commitment to closer ties with Europe saying that Russia would have to 'acknowledge and respect' Kiev’s choice.

'The return to the European integration course, the rejection of which had sparked the uprising, is our priority. We must return into the family of European states'.

[For background information on the EuroMaidan protests click on the ESO: Background Information hyperlink below 'Euromaidan - Protests in Ukraine 2013 - 2014 - Key source'].

Source Link Link to Main Source http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26284505
Related Links
EurActiv, 21.02.14: EU shocked by gruesome Kyiv massacre http://www.euractiv.com/europes-east/eu-shocked-gruesome-kyiv-massacr-news-533671
Ukraine: President: Press Release, 21.02.14: Negotiations on settlement of political crisis in Ukraine have finished in Presidential Administration http://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/30115.html
ESO: Key Source: Euromaidan - Protests in Ukraine 2013 - 2015 - Key source http://www.europeansources.info/record/euromaidan-protests-in-ukraine-2013-2015/
ESO: Background information: Foreign Affairs Council, Brussels, 20 February 2014 - the situation in Ukraine http://www.europeansources.info/record/foreign-affairs-council-brussels-20-february-2014-the-situation-in-ukraine-ukraine-unrest-eu-sanctions-imposed-ukraine-crisis-talks-underway-in-brussels-as-deadly-fighting-escalates/
RIA Novosti, 20.02.14: President, Opposition Reach Deal to End Ukraine Unrest http://en.ria.ru/world/20140221/187745120/President-Opposition-Reach-Deal-to-End-Ukraine-Unrest.html
Euronews, 21.02.14: Ukraine’s parliament votes to end security crackdown on protesters http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/21/ukraine-s-parliament-votes-to-end-security-crackdown-on-protesters/
BBC News, 21.02.14: Ukrainian President Yanukovych agrees early election http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26289318
The Guardian, 21.02.14: German foreign minister denies deal has been made to end Ukraine crisis http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/21/ukraine-president-says-deal-has-been-reached-opposition-bloodshed
Deutsche Welle, 21.02.14: 'Deal' reached in Kyiv, EU diplomats urge caution http://dw.de/p/1BD9q
The New York Times, 20.02.14: Converts Join With Militants in Kiev Clash http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/21/world/europe/protesters-join-fight-in-kiev-100-at-a-time.html
EUObserver, 21.02.14: Ukraine deal set to end conflict, lead to early elections http://euobserver.com/foreign/123235
RIA Novosti, 21.02.14: Ukraine Leader Announces Early Presidential Poll http://en.ria.ru/news/20140221/187750684/Ukraine-Leader-Announces-Early-Presidential-Poll.html
EU: EEAS: Press Release, 21.02.14: Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on agreement reached between President and 3 opposition leaders in Ukraine http://www.eeas.europa.eu/statements/docs/2014/140221_05_en.pdf
European Commission: RAPID: STATEMENT/14/17: Statement by President Barroso on Ukraine http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-14-17_en.pdf
Council of Europe: Newsroom, 21.02.14: Secretary General Jagland welcomes the Agreement on the Settlement of the Crisis in Ukraine http://hub.coe.int/en/web/coe-portal/press/newsroom?p_p_id=newsroom&_newsroom_articleId=1761935&_newsroom_groupId=10226&_newsroom_tabs=newsroom-topnews&pager.offset=0
NATO: Press Release, 21.02.14: NATO Secretary General welcomes agreement in Ukraine http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/news_107334.htm?selectedLocale=en
Ukraine: President: Press Release, 21.02.14: Agreement on Settlement of Crisis in Ukraine has been signed http://mfa.gov.ua/en/news/open/id/18107
RIA Novosti, 22.02.14: Ukraine Parliament Considers President's Ouster, Early Vote http://en.ria.ru/world/20140222/187780318/Ukraine-Parliament-Considers-Presidents-Ouster-Early-Vote.html
BBC News, 22.02.14: Ukraine crisis: President's Kiev offices abandoned http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26299670
Euronews, 22.02.14: Yanukovych flees to Kharkiv http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/22/live-updates-protesters-take-over-kyiv-parliament-releases-tymoschenko/
EurActiv, 21.02.14: EU-mediated Ukraine agreement “gives peace a chance” http://www.euractiv.com/europes-east/eu-mediated-ukraine-agreement-gi-news-533692
BBC News, 22.02.14: Ukrainian MPs vote to oust President Yanukovych http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26304842
RIA Novosti, 22.02.14: Parliament in Ukraine Impeaches President, Calls May 25 Vote http://en.ria.ru/world/20140222/187789200/Parliament-in-Ukraine-Impeaches-President-Calls-May-25-Vote.html
EU: EEAS: Press Release, 22.02.14: Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the latest developments in Ukraine http://www.eeas.europa.eu/statements/docs/2014/140222_01_en.pdf
EU: EEAS: Press Release, 23.02.14: Catherine Ashton to travel to Ukraine http://www.eeas.europa.eu/statements/docs/2014/140223_01_en.pdf
EUObserver, 23.02.14: Pride, uncertainty greet fall of Yanukovych http://euobserver.com/foreign/123240
RIA Novosti, 23.02.14: EU Integration Now Ukraine’s Priority – Acting President http://en.ria.ru/world/20140223/187827999/EU-Integration-Now-Ukraines-Priority--Acting-President.html
BBC News, 23.02.14: Ukraine: Speaker Oleksandr Turchynov named interim president http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26312008
European Council: Press Release: PRES/14/91: Statement by the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, on Ukraine http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/141122.pdf

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