Ukraine protesters vacate city hall after 3 months of occupation
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A protester holds a Ukrainian flag in Independence Square in Kyiv, the epicenter of the country’s anti-government protests, on Tuesday, February 4. Thousands of anti-government demonstrators have packed the square since November, underscoring tensions in a country split between pro-European and pro-Russia factions.
A protester smokes a cigarette while standing guard on a barricade in Kyiv on February 4.
Protesters keep an eye on police February 4 as they man a barricade in Kyiv.
A protester is reflected in a broken mirror during continuing protests in Kyiv on Monday, February 3.
A masked anti-government protester shouts slogans during the demonstrations on Sunday, February 2.
A large crowd of protesters gather in Kyiv on February 2.
Opposition supporters warm themselves on Grushevsky Street in Kyiv on Saturday, February 1.
A protester stands on top of barricades in Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv on Tuesday, January 28. Long-running demonstrations escalated into violent confrontations this month, with police and protesters fighting in Kyiv’s icy streets.
Protesters sit behind a barricade in Kyiv on January 28. Protesters first poured into the streets of the Ukrainian capital in November, angered by their government’s move away from the European Union in favor of closer ties with Russia. The escalation came after anti-protest legislation was passed by parliament on January 16.
Protesters march in Kyiv on Monday, January 27. Activists say they want wide-ranging constitutional reform and a shake-up of the Ukrainian political system.
Police block a street in the Ukraine capital on January 27.
A couple try to keep warm near a fire at a barricade in Kyiv on January 27.
Riot police block a Kyiv street from protesters on January 27.
Protesters stand guard inside the Ukraine Justice Ministry in Kyiv on January 27. Demonstrators later left the building because they didn’t want to create any difficulties in negotiations between the government and opposition, a protest leader said. Protesters repositioned themselves outside and blocked access to the building, the leader said.
Orthodox priests lead the funeral service for slain protester Mikhail Zhiznevsky in Kyiv on Sunday, January 26.
Ukrainian riot police officers stand in line during anti-government protests in Kyiv on Saturday, January 25.
An Orthodox priest prays during protests on January 25.
Some 10,000 Ukrainians take part in the funeral ceremony of dead protester Yuri Verbytsky in the western city of Lviv on Friday, January 24. Verbytsky was reportedly abducted on Tuesday and was found dead in a forest near Kyiv on Thursday.
A line of Ukrainian riot police block a road on January 24.
A protestor puts on a gas mask near Dynamo Stadium in Kyiv on January 24.
Ukrainian Oksana Tikhomirova cries as she urges riot police to stop the violence outside a government district in central Kyiv on January 24.
Molotov cocktails sit in a basket ready to be used by protesters in Kyiv on January 24.
Riot police stand guard near Dynamo Stadium on January 24.
A protester passes past graffiti that reads “Government for People” in the Ministry of Agricultural Policy building in Kyiv on January 24.
A man walks past the wreckage of a car on January 24.
Ukrainian protesters use a huge catapult to throw stones at riot police as tires burn in Kyiv on Thursday, January 23.
Riot police officers gather in Kyiv on January 23.
Opposition leader Vitali Klitschko, center, addresses protesters near the burning barricades between police and protesters in central Kyiv on January 23.
Riot police stand guard near a burnt-out bus covered in icicles in Kyiv on January 23.
A protester walks past burning tires in Kyiv on January 23.
A protester shoots fireworks at police during clashes in Kyiv on January 23.
A protester carries tires toward a fire on January 23.
Riot police officers line up in Kyiv during clashes on Wednesday, January 22.
A protester throws a Molotov cocktail on January 22.
Protesters shoot from behind a shield among burning automobile tires in Kyiv on January 22.
Riot police officers gather as they clash with protesters in the center of Kyiv on January 22.
A protester throws a Molotov cocktail during clashes with police in central Kyiv.
Ukrainian protesters during a mass action of opposition on Grushevsky Street.
A protester throws a stone in front of a plume of fire and smoke during clashes with police in central Kyiv.
Flames leap off a protester during clashes with police on January 22.
A police officer aims his shotgun during clashes with protesters.
Paramedics put a wounded man on a stretcher and into a medical vehicle.
Ukrainian police storm protesters’ barricades in Kyiv amid violent clashes on January 22.
A European integration supporter at Independence Square in central Kyiv.
Protesters in front of burning tires on Grushevsky Street.
A medic treats an injured protester’s leg during violent clashes between demonstrators and police.
A Ukrainian man stands in front of riot police on January 22.
Protesters clash with police in Kyiv as snow falls on January 22.
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(CNN) — Ukrainian protesters vacated the capital’s city hall Sunday in exchange for the government dropping charges against arrested demonstrators, an official said.
Protesters vacated city hall, unblocked a major street and left other government buildings as part of an amnesty deal calling for the opposition to vacate government buildings in Kyiv, opposition parliament member Arsen Avakov said.
They had occupied the city hall for nearly three months.
Protesters will remain outside city hall and will not allow police inside, he said. The opposition plans to hold a rally Sunday morning.
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Ukraine is mired in a political crisis that has led to the Prime Minister’s resignation.
Thousands of demonstrators have packed Kyiv’s Independence Square since November, when President Viktor Yanukovych reversed a decision to sign a trade deal with the European Union and instead turned toward Russia.
Violent confrontations flared after a sweeping anti-protest law was signed weeks ago, and an uneasy standoff remains on the streets.
Despite concessions such as the deal, Ukraine’s opposition parties continue to call for constitutional reforms to shift power away from the president.
Ukraine, a country of 45 million people, is split between pro-European regions in the West and a more Russia-oriented East.
Its leader and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on a $15 billion deal for Russia to buy Ukrainian debt and slash the price of natural gas.
Yanukovych has resisted calls for him to step down and defended the government’s handling of the political crisis.
READ: East vs West — What’s behind Ukraine’s political crisis?
READ: Opinion: Why Ukraine’s future lies with the EU, not Russia
READ: Ukraine protests: 5 things you need to know
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