Read previous news on the topic:
On Jan. 16 the Verkhovna Rada adopted more than a dozen of controversial amendments to a law 'On the Judicial System and Status of Judges' and the procedural laws regarding additional measures to protect the safety of citizens. Most opposition politicians, international organizations and European countries consider these laws a violation of basic constitutional rights of 45 million citizens of Ukraine.
On Jan. 19, clashes broke out between Euromaidan protesters and police on Hrushevskoho Street in the centre of Kyiv, after radical protesters decided to break through the police cordon in the direction of the Government House and the Verkhovna Rada. At least six people were killed during two weeks of unprecedented politically-linked violence in Kyiv.
Now opposition leaders - Arseniy Yatsenyuk ('Batkivshchyna'), Vitali Klitschko ('UDAR') and Oleg Tyagnibok ('Svoboda') - are trying to put an end to the political crisis in Ukraine.
On Jan. 24 Euromaidan supporters started seizing buildings of regional state administration all over Ukraine. Some attempts were successful.
On Jan. 25 President Viktor Yanukovich offered the opposition several top government posts. Thus, Yanukovich offered Arseny Yatseniyuk the post of prime minister to replace Nykolai Azarov, whose government would be expected to resign. Vitali Klitschko, a former international boxing champion, would be appointed deputy prime minister responsible for humanitarian issues. But opposition leaders, supported by thousands of protesters massing in Kyiv's city centre, continued to press for further concessions, including early elections and the repeal of an anti-protest law.
On Jan. 28 Ukrainian Prime Minister Nykolai Azarov resigned, and a series of sweeping anti-protest laws, adopted hastily in response to increasingly violent clashes between protesters and police, were abolished by parliament.
On Jan. 29 the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, approved a law that would grant an amnesty to arrested protesters, but depended on the demonstrators vacating all occupied government buildings. After 12 hours of negotiations the amnesty was agreed by 232 votes from the Regions Party members and the Communist Party amid applause from the 'regionals' and angry shouts 'Shame!' from the opposition.
Now the EU is considering sanctions against Ukraine. In the mean time, former Ukrainian Interior Minister and head of the public organization 'Ukrainian Third Republic' Yuriy Lutsenko said there is no point in negotiating between the opposition and President Viktor Yanukovich, and called on the Ukrainians to join the ranks of Euromaidan self-defence units.
Individual MP Pyotr Poroshenko, in his turn, announced the establishment of an international commission to investigate crimes of the Ukrainian authorities against Euromaidan protesters.
The opposition, buoyed by Western expressions of support, pressed on Feb. 4, in parliament for a return to a previous constitution of 2004, which would mean Yanukovich losing some of the key powers he has accumulated since being elected in 2010. These include appointing the prime minister and entire government as well as regional governors. The opposition also wants an unconditional amnesty for protesters detained in the unrest to be broadened into an unconditional pardon for all those being held by police.
So far the authorities and the opposition haven't managed to reach a compromise on a return to the constitution of 2004. Some activists still remain in custody, and Euromaidan protesters still occupy government building in Kyiv.
On Feb. 16 the Interior Ministry confirmed protesters have met all the conditions necessary to bring the amnesty law into effect. A conditional amnesty law that exempts detained protesters from criminal charges has been implemented on Feb. 17.
On Feb. 18-20 gun battles between police and anti-government protesters resulted in the death toll of 83 people (some of them died from wounds in the following days). In the evening of Feb.19 Viktor Yanukovich said he had agreed firstly a truce and secondly 'the start to negotiations with the aim of ending bloodshed, and stabilizing the situation in the state in the interests of social peace'. Earlier in the day, riot police snipers were captured on video shooting from a rooftop at demonstrators in the central plaza, Independence Square. In turn, protesters hurled petrol bombs and paving stones to drive the security forces off a corner of the square the police had captured in battles that began two days earlier.
On Feb. 21 Ukraine's parliament voted in favor of returning to the constitution of 2004 under which President Viktor Yanukovich would lose some of his powers. Russian-backed Yanukovich fled Kyiv by helicopter.
On Feb. 22 deputy chairman of 'Batkivshchyna' opposition faction Alexander Turchinov, hositle to Yanukovich, was appointed Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada. Later in the day the parliament voted to remove President Viktor Yanukovich, declaring him constitutionally unable to carry out his duties, after three months of street protests, while his arch-rival, former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko hailed opposition demonstrators as 'heroes' in an emotional speech in Kyiv after she was released from jail. Moreover the assembly called a presidential election for May 25.
On the same day President Viktor Yanukovich compared the situation in Ukraine to Germany in the 1930s, when Nazi leader Adolf Hitler came to power. 63-year-old leader said he was ignoring the vote and still considered himself head of state. Later he abandoned Kyiv to the opposition and denounced what he described as a coup. Then Ukraine's border authorities said it had refused to allow President Viktor Yanukovich to leave the country. Some armed men had tried to bribe border staff at Donetsk airport in the east of the country to allow the charter flight to take off, but they had refused. Thus, Yanukovich subsequently got off the plane and left in a waiting car.
As of Feb. 24 fugitive President Viktor Yanukovich is wanted on an arrest warrant for mass murder. His whereabouts remain unknown. Some members of the Party of Regions and criminal regime supporters fled the country. Also, cash-strapped Ukraine appealed for urgent financial assistance to prevent a default, saying it needed $35 billion over two years to stop the economy 'heading into the abyss'.
Kyiv's chances of receiving the remaining $12 billion of a $15-billion bailout package agreed with Russia in December, after Ukraine spurned an EU trade deal, seem to have receded since Moscow, which backed Yanukovich, says it won't release the next $2-billion tranche until it knows who will be in the government. It also says any extension of a deal cutting the price Kyiv pays for Russian gas (part of December's wider financial deal) - must be negotiated with Ukrainian companies and the government.
In the evening of Feb. 24 most of the ministers under Yanukovшch were dismissed.
08:21. Election campaign for snap presidential elections has started on Tuesday.
08:35. Cherkassy governor Tulub has been declared wanted for misappropriation of state property in especially large sizes.
08:52. Euromaidan activists from 'Circle of public confidence' have demanded to prohibit people from the list of 100 richest people of Ukraine to get positions in the government.
09:09. The Interior Ministry has appointed new Traffic Police Chief and Kyiv's Police Chief.
09:27. Russia's LDPR leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky said that members of Ukrainian music groups, who supported anti-Russian stance, should be prohibited from touring in Russia.
09:38. Leader of the party 'Fair Russia' Sergey Mironov suggested to provide Russian citizenship on a simplified conditions to all interested Ukrainians, and especially to 'Berkut' riot police fighters.
09:51. Civil movement the 'Praviy sector' ('Right sector') condemned the pressure on families of law enforcers, who participated in AntiEuromaidan events.
10:11. Ukrainian law enforcement authorities, including the State Border Service, have not received any official information on former president Viktor Yanukovich included in most wanted list.
10:14. Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Aleksandr Turchynov has continued plenary session of Parliament. 298 MPs registered in a session hall.
10:39. The 'Praviy sector' ('Right sector') civil movement will send a 'train of friendship' to Crimea for combating separatism.
10:43. Head of the International Monetary Fund Christine Lagarde doesn't exclude that demands which Ukraine must fulfill to receive financial aid may be softened. But the fund requests at least to start economic reforms.
10:47. Leader of the 'Svoboda' party Oleg Tyagnibok predicts that Parliament will consider appointment of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers on Feb. 27.
10:48. German company Tchibo refused from commercials featuring Vitali and Vladimir Klitschko due to recent events in Kyiv. This decision was taken at a recent meeting of the company's leadership.
10:48. On Monday, all the structures within the business orbit of Rinat Akhmetov have received a letter addressed to employees of companies. In total it was received by more than 300 thousand addresses. Letter was devoted to the situation in the country. LB.ua managed to get one copy of this letter. It says that the companies will continue 'to live and work guided by conscience'.
10:57. Physician Olga Bohomolets, rector of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy Sergey Kvit, social activist Igor Lutsenko, singer Ruslana Lyzchicko and coordinator of Euromaidan Medical Service Oleg Musiy may become members of the new government of Ukraine, stated 'Batkivschyna' opposition faction leader Arseniy Yatseniuk, speaking from the rostrum of the Verkhovna Rada.
10:59. Ukrainian Basketball Federation has decided to suspend the competition in the men's and women's premium and first leagues and competitions of younger ages until March 2nd because of the complex political situation in the country. Games were postponed indefinitely.
11:07. Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Aleksandr Turchynov instructed factions to agree on proposals on the composition of the Cabinet until Thursday, Feb. 27.
11:10. The Verkhovna Rada adopted a draft decree № 4261 'On the powers of the Acting President, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Aleksandr Turchynov to sign the laws of Ukraine'. 316 MPs supported the decision.
11:17. Head of the State Duma Committee for CIS, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots Leonid Slutsky denied Ukrainian media reports on expedited issuance of Russian passports to residents of Crimea.
11:32. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Ukraine's ban on broadcast of Russian television stations would be a serious violation of freedom of speech.
12:02. The Verkhovna Rada has announced a break due to the requirement not to violate the procedure.
12:08. Web-site yanukovychleaks.org with documents from Viktor Yanukovich's former private residence Mezhigorie has been launched on the Internet.
12:25. 35 employees of Kyiv's 'Berkut' riot police escaped from the base, taking their weapons with them, stated Acting Minister of Internal Affairs Arsen Avakov.
12:35. Council of National Security and Defence is meeting on Tuesday to consider the situation in Crimea.
12:55. The European Union is discussing the possibility of granting short and long term loans in the financial aid to Ukraine, stated EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.
13:02. The Party of Regions faction in the Verkhovna Rada will support the proposal of the majority to form a government of national trust, told reporters the faction leader Aleksandr Yefremov.
13:07. Third 'hundred' of Euromaidan activists is picketing the parliament's building, demanding an explanation why does the Verkhovna Rada adopts all the solutions without the Maidan.
13:17. The Verkhovna Rada has held a meeting on the adoption of measures for the protection of Sevastopol, where the situation is very tense at the moment, said 'Batkivschyna' MP Sergey Pashinsky addressing people who had gathered in front of the parliament's building.
13:23. Singer Ruslana Lyzhychko has refused from positions in the new government, says a message on her Facebook page.
13:29. The Verkhovna Rada filed a complaint to the International Criminal Court on the recognition of jurisdiction of the court by Ukraine with respect to the commission of crimes against humanity by senior officials of the state in the period from Nov. 21 to Feb. 22.
13:32. In Simferopol, Crimea, a spontaneous rally under Russian and Crimean flags is being held in front of the parliament's building. The participants demand that local lawmakers do not recognize the authority of Kyiv, return to the constitution of Crimea of 1992, and hold a referendum on the transfer of Crimea to Russia.
13:37. Leader of the 'UDAR' party Vitali Klitschko has stated he didn't intend to apply for positions in the Cabinet of Ministers.
13:42. The Verkhovna Rada has appointed extraordinary elections of Kyiv's mayor and Kyiv's City Council on May 25.
13:44. Ukraine's parliament has announced break until Thursday, Feb. 27.
14:07. Head of Presidential Administration Andrey Klyuyev on Feb. 23 met with President Viktor Yanukovich in Crimea and tendered his resignation from the post of head of the Presidential Administration.
14:15. Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton have discussed ways to bring the country out of the crisis, the EU's role in this process and measures to return the course of European integration. The politicians also spoke about forming a new government.
14:26. Russian Public Chamber for the Press Complaints has acknowledged Dmitry Kisilev's program about Euromaidan as direct misinformation addressed to the Russian audience and Russian public opinion.
14:33. 'Batkivschyna' faction head Arseniy Yatseniuk opposes the participation of the Party of Regions MPs in the coalition.
14:34. The EU may grant Ukraine the first tranche of aid worth more than €1 billion without any commitment in March, said European Commissioner for Budget Janusz Lewandowski.
14:40. The Verkhovna Rada MP from the Party of Regions Vadym Kolesnichenko says believes that Sevastopol administration's officials will report to 'people's mayor' Alexei Chaliy, Russia's citizen.
14:48. Former opposition continues dividing ministerial portfolios.
Thus, Boris Tarasyuk is to be appointed as Foreign Minister, Eugene Nischuk (better known as 'Euromaidan voice') - head of the Ministry of Culture, Igor Zhdanov - first deputy prime minister. Either Liliya Hrynevych ('Batkivschyna') or Sergey Kvit (rector of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy) may be appointed as head of the Ministry of Education.
As to the remaining posts, the priorities are defined as follows:
Prime Minister - Arseniy Yatsenyuk
Ministry of Industrial Policy - Oksana Prodan
Ministry of Youth and Sports - Arthur Palatniy
Ministry of Revenue and Fees - Alexandra Kuzhel
Ministry of Economic Development and Trade - Olesya Orobets
Ministry of Natural Resources - Irina Seh
Ministry of Defence - Andrew Paruby
Interior Ministry - Arsen Avakov
15:04. Poland's Foreign Ministry Radoslaw Sikorski has offered to freeze capital of the overthrown ruling elite of Ukraine and to pass them to Ukraine.
15:08. Today, Euromaidan's third 'hundred' picketed the Verkhovna Rada, demanding an explanation why the Parliament adopts all decisions without the Maidan representatives and MPs form the old government continue working, whilst the Maidan access to the Rada is blocked. According to head of the 'hundred', if there is a need to die for changes in the country, his people are ready to die.
15:18. Chairman of 'Svoboda' faction in the Verkhovna Rada Oleg Tyagnibok and 'Svoboda' MP Irina Farion do not intend to be part of the new Cabinet.
15:42. Euromaidan commandant, MP Andrei Parubiy has explained why the Verkhovna Rada failed to vote for a new government on Tuesday. According to him, current Ukrainian authorities deliberately stopped the vote on the Cabinet to talk with the leaders of the Maidan.
15:45. New Ukrainian authorities are obliged to eliminate corruption in Ukraine, says a statement of the European Business Association, which brings together more than 950 international and domestic companies.
15:50. Information for those who want to help the families of the victims: contact details and bank accounts of their relatives (link).
15:57. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has abolished the ban on entry to Ukraine for a number of foreign activists and human rights defenders, reported the press service of SBU.
16:24. Sumy Mayor Gennady Minaev on Feb. 26 voluntarily resigns and suggests a full reset of power in the country through elections.
16:35. Representatives of Lvov's intellectuals call on Parliament and Acting President to pursue a balanced language policy and 'not to impose Galician way of life to Donetsk residents or Crimeans'.
16:40. Euromaidan self-defence fighters, the 'Praviy sector' ('Right sector') civil movement and AutoMaidan activists have found repository of valuable books in the residence of ex-president Viktor Yanukovich.
16:53. 'Batkivschyna' faction leader Arseniy Yatseniuk has met with Deputy Secretary of State William Burns. Burns expressed understanding and support for the new government.
17:05. On Monday, February 24, Euromaidan activist Vladimir Boyko died in Kyiv's hospital. He became the 83rd victim of clashes in the center of Kyiv.
17:32. Euromaidan organizers will convene the National veche to hear the report on the first results of the new government on March 2, says a statement on the official Euromaidan page in Facebook.
17:40. Video showing Euromaidan self-defence trying to extinguish the fire in the House of Trade Unions in the centre of Kyiv has been published on YouTube.
17:43. The 'UDAR' party MP Oksana Prodan has denied information that she will be appointed as head of the Ministry of Industrial Policy in transitional Cabinet.
17:48. Acting President, Parliament Speaker Aleksandr Turchynov appointed Oleg Mahnitsky as Acting Attorney General.
17:56. Acting President Aleksandr Turchynov has dismissed Viktor Yanukovich's Presidential Advisor Sergey Liovochkin.
18:12. Pechersk district court in Kyiv has ruled the detention of former President Viktor Yanukovich.
18:31. Journalists have been allowed into the territory of the house of former Interior Minister Vitaly Zakharchenko (a lot of pictures).
18:49. Acting President Aleksandr Turchynov has implemented a series of dismissals, particularly among Viktor Yanukovich's presidential advisers.
18:55. Former Attorney General Victor Pshonka was announced wanted, announced Acting Prosecutor General of Ukraine Oleg Mahnitsky.
19:36. Acting President of Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada Speaker Aleksandr Turchynov has dismissed Yuri Miroshnichenko of his duties as the President's representative in Parliament.
19:44. The Verkhovna Rada MP Oleg Lyashko has decided to run for presidency.
19:57. Ukraine doesn't have enough funds to pay salaries to the prosecutors, stated Acting President of Ukraine Aleksandr Turchynov.
20:00. Unknown informed police of mining Kharkov state administration's building. Law enforcers and carefully inspecting its territory.
20:15. Residents of Crimea, who are holding rallies against the new government of Ukraine, have set Russia's flag on the building of the Supreme Council of Crimea.
21:23. A lot of pictures of ex-President Viktor Yanukovich's residence Mezhigorie.
21:32. The National veche will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 7:00 pm at Kyiv's Independence Square, where a new government will be proposed and approved, reported the press office of 'Batkivschyna'.
21:48. Unidentified men have broken into the house of former First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, the Communist Party MP Igor Kaletnik. His estate is located near Kyiv.
22:29. Head of Coordination Office of special purpose combat and special training of State Interior Troops of Ukraine, Colonel Sergey Asavelyuk told his version of events on Independence Square on February 20, when snipers shot people.
22:58. Chairman of Donetsk Regional State Administration Andrey Shishatskiy has said that dictatorship was the main cause of change of the government in the country.
23:25. Russia believes Viktor Yanukovich is still the legitimate president, stated Chairman of the State Duma Committee for CIS, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots Leonid Slutsky.
23:52. The International Criminal Court has stated that only the ICC prosecutor could decide to initiate an investigation, whilst the state-complainant couldn't ask to pursue individuals.
Read next: Ukrainian crisis: February 26