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In Pictures: Ukraine standoff

Despite concessions made by President Viktor Yanukovich, protesters refuse to back down.

Ukraine(***)s infamous riot police keeps facing off with demonstrators on Grushevskogo street in Kiev, the scene of the most violent clashes of the unrest, as politicians remain deadlocked on a solution.

By Svetlana Ivanova

Published On 1 Feb 2014

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Kiev, Ukraine – Despite this week’s concessions by President Viktor Yanukovich, including an amnesty bill that would free jailed activists, the opposition refuses to leave occupied government buildings and to demolish barricades here in the country’s capital.

The protesters say the demonstrations, triggered when the government ditched plans to sign an association agreement with the European Union, will continue until Yanukovich resigns. Protesters also are demanding early elections and the firing of authorities responsible for violent police dispersals of demonstrators.

Dozens of activists have been arrested since clashes broke out on January 19 and protesters stormed regional administration buildings in Kiev and the provinces.

Three activists were shot dead last week when clashes broke out between police and protesters in Kiev, but tensions have calmed somewhat since negotiations began between the government and opposition.

Meanwhile, Yanukovich has gone on sick leave with an acute respiratory ailment, leaving a political vacuum in a country destabilised by anti-government protests.

Anti-government activists refuse to back down, saying they will guard the barricades until their "final victory" - the resignation of the president.
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The ministry of justice building is caught up in negotiations between the opposition and the authorities. Yanukovich wants protesters to leave the building in exchange for amnesty for arrested activists.
Kiev protesters urge riot police officers not to use force against peaceful demonstrators.
With Ukraine facing sub-zero temperatures, ordinary citizens donate warm clothes for street protesters.
Kiev demonstrators brave the freezing winter in tents scattered around the centre of the capital.
As the Ukrainian unrest drags on, volunteer medical staff have come forward to help the protesters.
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The occupied Professionals Union building shelters demonstrators from all walks of life, offering medical help and food supplies.
Protesters keep tires handy at the barricades and are ready to set them on fire if police attack. Burning tires create a thick smokescreen and can stay alight for a suprisingly long time.
Orthodox Christian protesters are prominent here, and can attend hourly prayer sessions held at the main stage in Independence Square.
Both the government and the opposition have made efforts to show they have support from across the regions of Ukraine.
The president says the government has fulfilled its responsibility towards the people by offering concessions to the protesters. But, for now, both sides seem to be playing a waiting game.