Ukraine bends on protest law, offers amnesty

Marie-Louise Gumuchian and Victoria Butenko, CNN
5 minute read
Updated 9:08 PM EST, Mon January 27, 2014
Protesters in Kiev, Ukraine, clash with police in Independence Square on Wednesday, February 19. Thousands of anti-government demonstrators have packed the square since November, when President Viktor Yanukovych reversed a decision on a trade deal with the European Union and instead turned toward Russia.
Ukraine protests turn deadly —
Protesters in Kiev, Ukraine, clash with police in Independence Square on Wednesday, February 19. Thousands of anti-government demonstrators have packed the square since November, when President Viktor Yanukovych reversed a decision on a trade deal with the European Union and instead turned toward Russia.
Alexander Koerner/Getty Images
Protesters clash with police in Kiev on February 19. The unrest in Ukraine intensified after an anti-protest law went into effect in January. Demonstrators took to the streets to protest the law, which was later repealed.
Ukraine protests turn deadly —
Protesters clash with police in Kiev on February 19. The unrest in Ukraine intensified after an anti-protest law went into effect in January. Demonstrators took to the streets to protest the law, which was later repealed.
Alexander Koerner/Getty Images
Protesters prepare a barricade in Independence Square on February 19.
Ukraine protests turn deadly —
Protesters prepare a barricade in Independence Square on February 19.
Alexander Koerner/Getty Images
Police form a line as the Trade Unions Building burns in Independence Square on February 19.
Ukraine protests turn deadly —
Police form a line as the Trade Unions Building burns in Independence Square on February 19.
Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images
Police form a barrier in Independence Square on February 19.
Ukraine protests turn deadly —
Police form a barrier in Independence Square on February 19.
Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images
Protesters in Kiev throw rocks at riot police in Independence Square on February 19.
Ukraine protests turn deadly —
Protesters in Kiev throw rocks at riot police in Independence Square on February 19.
PIERO QUARANTA/AFP/Getty Images
Independence Square smolders during protests on February 19.
Ukraine protests turn deadly —
Independence Square smolders during protests on February 19.
SERGEY DOLZHENKO/EPA/LANDOV
Protesters walk in the rubble of Independence Square on February 19.
Ukraine protests turn deadly —
Protesters walk in the rubble of Independence Square on February 19.
PIERO QUARANTA/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters gather in Kiev on February 19.
Ukraine protests turn deadly —
Protesters gather in Kiev on February 19.
SANDRO MADDALENA/AFP/Getty Images
A protester throws a cobblestone at riot police during clashes in Independence Square on February 19.
Ukraine protests turn deadly —
A protester throws a cobblestone at riot police during clashes in Independence Square on February 19.
SANDRO MADDALENA/AFP/Getty Images
Riot police officers rest against a column in Independence Square on February 19.
Ukraine protests turn deadly —
Riot police officers rest against a column in Independence Square on February 19.
DANYLO PRYHODKO/EPA/LANDOV
Protesters stand in Independence Square on February 19.
Ukraine protests turn deadly —
Protesters stand in Independence Square on February 19.
PIERO QUARANTA/AFP/Getty Images
An injured protester is moved out during clashes with riot police in Kiev on February 19.
Ukraine protests turn deadly —
An injured protester is moved out during clashes with riot police in Kiev on February 19.
PIERO QUARANTA/AFP/Getty Images
A protester uses a slingshot to throw a rock at riot police February 19 in Kiev.
Ukraine protests turn deadly —
A protester uses a slingshot to throw a rock at riot police February 19 in Kiev.
SANDRO MADDALENA/AFP/Getty Images
Riot police line up in Kiev on February 19.
Ukraine protests turn deadly —
Riot police line up in Kiev on February 19.
ALEXEY FURMAN/EPA/LANDOV
Protesters put on gas masks near the perimeter of Independence Square on February 19.
Ukraine protests turn deadly —
Protesters put on gas masks near the perimeter of Independence Square on February 19.
Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images
Protesters brace themselves for more violence in Kiev on February 19.
Ukraine protests turn deadly —
Protesters brace themselves for more violence in Kiev on February 19.
Sergei Chuzavkov/AP
A protester throws a stone in Kiev on February 19.
Ukraine protests turn deadly —
A protester throws a stone in Kiev on February 19.
Efrem Lukatsky/AP
Protesters protect themselves with shields as they clash with police in Kiev on February 19.
Ukraine protests turn deadly —
Protesters protect themselves with shields as they clash with police in Kiev on February 19.
SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images
An injured protester waits to be treated in a Kiev monastery, converted into a makeshift hospital, on February 19.
Ukraine protests turn deadly —
An injured protester waits to be treated in a Kiev monastery, converted into a makeshift hospital, on February 19.
Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images
Protesters sleep on the floor inside a Kiev monastery on February 19.
Ukraine protests turn deadly —
Protesters sleep on the floor inside a Kiev monastery on February 19.
Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images
Protesters clash with police in Independence Square on February 19.
Ukraine protests turn deadly —
Protesters clash with police in Independence Square on February 19.
SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images
A protester rushes through a broken door in the regional prosecutor's office in Lviv, Ukraine, on February 19. Police said the unrest has spread to western Ukraine, with protesters attacking police and local government offices in a number of regions.
Ukraine protests turn deadly —
A protester rushes through a broken door in the regional prosecutor's office in Lviv, Ukraine, on February 19. Police said the unrest has spread to western Ukraine, with protesters attacking police and local government offices in a number of regions.
IVAN BOBERSKYY/EPA/LANDOV
Protesters in Lviv burn papers from a government building on February 19.
Ukraine protests turn deadly —
Protesters in Lviv burn papers from a government building on February 19.
Pavlo Palamarchuk/AP
A protester aims a weapon in Kiev on Tuesday, February 18.
Ukraine protests turn deadly —
A protester aims a weapon in Kiev on Tuesday, February 18.
GENYA SAVILOV/AFP/Getty Images
Riot police storm Independence Square on February 18.
Ukraine protests turn deadly —
Riot police storm Independence Square on February 18.
Efrem Lukatsky/AP
A protester runs during clashes with police in Kiev on February 18.
Ukraine protests turn deadly —
A protester runs during clashes with police in Kiev on February 18.
Efrem Lukatsky/AP
Protesters clash with police in Independence Square on February 18.
Ukraine protests turn deadly —
Protesters clash with police in Independence Square on February 18.
Efrem Lukatsky/AP
Protesters watch clashes in Kiev on February 18.
Ukraine protests turn deadly —
Protesters watch clashes in Kiev on February 18.
SANDRO MADDALENA/AFP/Getty Images
Violence between police and protesters escalates February 18 in Kiev.
Ukraine protests turn deadly —
Violence between police and protesters escalates February 18 in Kiev.
SERGEY DOLZHENKO/EPA/LANDOV
Riot police stand firm in Kiev on February 18.
Ukraine protests turn deadly —
Riot police stand firm in Kiev on February 18.
Yevgeny Maloletka/ITAR-TASS/Landov
Protesters burn a car in central Kiev on February 18.
Ukraine protests turn deadly —
Protesters burn a car in central Kiev on February 18.
Yevgeny Maloletka/ITAR-TASS/Landov
A protester stands atop a barricade in Kiev on February 18.
Ukraine protests turn deadly —
A protester stands atop a barricade in Kiev on February 18.