THE prime minister of Ukraine, Mykola Azarov, has offered his resignation following a wave of deadly protests across the country.
Under the constitution, the departure of the prime minister means the resignation of the entire government. Azarov's resignation has yet to be accepted by the president, but that appears to be only a formality.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
It came just hours before the Ukrainian parliament repealed the anti-protest laws that sparked the latest round of demonstrations in the capital city of Kiev. The decision was made today at an extraordinary session aimed at easing the crisis.
At least four activists have died in incidents connected with the protests in recent days, with the unrest spreading across Ukraine.
The anti-protest laws, which were passed on 16 January, banned the wearing of masks or helmets at demonstrations, and also outlawed unauthorised tents in public areas. Anyone blockading public buildings or slandering government officials also faced punishment under the legislation.
Despite today's significant concessions to the protesters, several key issues remain unresolved, says The Guardian. This includes the opposition's repeated demands for President Viktor Yanukovych to resign and a new election to be held.
The original protests began in November after Yanukovych refused to sign an Association Agreement with the European Union at the Eastern Partnership summit in Lithuania in November, derailing three years of talks with the EU.
Protesters argued that by refusing to loosen ties with Russia, Yanukovych was denying Ukraine the economic and social benefits of a relationship with the EU.
-
US citizens are carrying passports amid ICE fearsThe Explainer ‘You do what you have to do to avoid problems,’ one person told The Guardian
-
All roads to Ukraine-Russia peace run through DonetskIN THE SPOTLIGHT Volodymyr Zelenskyy is floating a major concession on one of the thorniest issues in the complex negotiations between Ukraine and Russia
-
Why is Trump killing off clean energy?Today's Big Question President halts offshore wind farm construction
-
All roads to Ukraine-Russia peace run through the Donbas
IN THE SPOTLIGHT Volodymyr Zelenskyy is floating a major concession on one of the thorniest issues in the complex negotiations between Ukraine and Russia
-
US offers Ukraine NATO-like security pact, with caveatsSpeed Read The Trump administration has offered Ukraine security guarantees similar to those it would receive from NATO
-
How Bulgaria’s government fell amid mass protestsThe Explainer The country’s prime minister resigned as part of the fallout
-
Europe sets 2027 deadline to wean itself from Russian gasIN THE SPOTLIGHT As negotiators attempt to end Russia’s yearslong Ukraine invasion, lawmakers across the EU agree to uncouple gas consumption from Moscow’s petrochemical infrastructure
-
Is Europe finally taking the war to Russia?Today's Big Question As Moscow’s drone buzzes and cyberattacks increase, European leaders are taking a more openly aggressive stance
-
Pushing for peace: is Trump appeasing Moscow?In Depth European leaders succeeded in bringing themselves in from the cold and softening Moscow’s terms, but Kyiv still faces an unenviable choice
-
Femicide: Italy’s newest crimeThe Explainer Landmark law to criminalise murder of a woman as an ‘act of hatred’ or ‘subjugation’ but critics say Italy is still deeply patriarchal
-
Brazil’s Bolsonaro behind bars after appeals run outSpeed Read He will serve 27 years in prison
