A Ukrainian pro-European Union activist stands while warming himself near a bonfire at a heavily fortified tent camp in Kyiv's Independence Square in Kiev in Kiev, Ukraine, Dec. 17, 2013.
Weeks of angry pro-European Union protests as well as Western pressure have forced Yanukoyvch to make some concessions to the opposition. Last week Yanukovych called for an amnesty for some of the activists detained.
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Ukrainian opposition supporters gather at a mass rally on Independence Square in Kiev, Dec. 15, 2013.
The European Union suspended association talks with Ukraine as more than 200,000 protesters massed in the heart of Kiev demanding that the government recommit itself to the West.
The ex-Soviet nation of 46 million has been at the heart of a furious diplomatic tug of war since President Viktor Yanukovych's surprise decision last month to ditch a landmark EU agreement and seek closer ties with historic master Russia.
Kiev
Marko Djurica
A pro-European integration protester stands guard on top of a barricade at Independence Square in Kiev, Dec. 14, 2013.
Opposition leaders in Kiev on Saturday and voiced support for protesters camped out for weeks in the capital, a move sure to anger Moscow for what it sees as Western meddling in its backyard.
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U.S. Senator John McCain shakes hands with a protester during a mass opposition rally at Independence Square in Kiev, Dec. 15, 2013.
McCain told more than 200,000 EU supporters rallying in the Ukrainian capital Kiev that Washington backed their desire for European integration.
"To all Ukraine, America stands with you," he called out to the cheering crowd. "The free world is with you, America is with you, I am with you... Ukraine will make Europe better and Europe will make Ukraine better."
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Protesters sit in front of a barricade set up by the Ukrainian opposition in Kiev, Dec. 16, 2013.
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A protester stands on Independence Square in Kiev late on Dec. 16, 2013.
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Head of the Ukrainian UDAR (Punch) party, Vitali Klitshchko addresses an opposition rally in Independence Square in Kiev, Dec. 16, 2013.
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Alexander Demianchuk/Reuters
Pro-European integration protestors hold a rally at Independence Square in central Kiev, Dec. 12, 2013.
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Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters
Interior Ministry personnel block a street during a gathering of supporters of EU integration in Kiev, Dec. 9, 2013.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich backed a call for talks with the opposition on Monday to end weeks of protests in Kiev, but tension was high with pro-Europe demonstrators barricading their protest camp in preparation for police intervention.
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland visited Independence Square in the Ukrainian capital Kiev on Wednesday, the U.S. embassy said.
Nuland’s highly symbolic appearance in the square came a day after Secretary of State John Kerry issued a strong statement, expressing the United States' "disgust with the decision of Ukrainian authorities to meet the peaceful protest ... with riot police, bulldozers, and batons, rather than with respect for democratic rights and human dignity."
A Ukrainian riot policeman pulls a Pro-European Union activist out from a tent camp in Independence Square in Kiev, Dec. 11, 2013.
Security forces clashed with protesters as they began tearing down opposition barricades and tents set up in the center of the Ukrainian capital early Wednesday, in an escalation of the weeks-long standoff threatening the leadership of President Viktor Yanukovych.
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Efrem Lukatsky/AP
A pro-European Union activist gives flowers to riot police which block a main street in central Kiev, Ukraine, Dec. 10, 2013.
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Sergei Chuzavkov/AP
Pro-European Union activists pull firewood on a trolley in Independence Square in Kiev, Dec. 10, 2013.
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Maks Levin/Reuters
People surround a statue of Soviet state founder Vladimir Lenin, which was toppled by protesters during a rally organized by supporters of EU integration in Kiev, Ukraine, Dec. 8, 2013.
The third week of protests continued Sunday with an estimated 200,000 Ukrainians occupying central Kiev to denounce President Viktor Yanukovych’s decision to turn away from Europe and align this ex-Soviet republic with Russia.
Sergei Chuzavkov/AP
Riot police officers look through their bus window while waiting to block Pro-European Union activists gathered in Independence Square in Kiev, Dec. 9, 2013.
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Vasily Fedosenk/Reuters
Protesters practice tactics to defend themselves from possible police scuffles during a rally held by supporters of EU integration in central Kiev, Dec. 8, 2013. Pro-Europe protesters flocked to Kiev's Independence Square on Sunday for a rally that organizers were hoping would swell to 1 million people, piling pressure on Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich to turn back from seeking closer ties to Russia.
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A man wearing a Ukrainian national flag walks past Ukrainian riot police as they block the road next to Pro-European Union activists gathered in Kiev's Independence Square, Dec. 9, 2013.
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Protesters rally in Independence Square in Kiev, Dec. 3, 2013.
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An anti-government protester shouts from a statue in Kiev, Dec. 6, 2013.
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Police officers block a street near a presidential administration building in Kiev, Dec. 4, 2013.
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A man serves soup to anti-government protesters in Kiev's Independence Square, Dec. 4, 2013.
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Anti-government protesters sleep on the floor in the occupied City Hall building in Kiev, Dec. 4, 2013.
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Anti-government protesters block a street near several key government buildings in Kiev, Dec. 4, 2013.
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Signs placed by protesters cover the metal frame of what was to be a large public Christmas Tree display in Independence Square in Kiev, Dec. 5, 2013.
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Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images
Police guard a street in Kiev, Dec. 5, 2013.
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Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images
Anti-government protesters distribute ponchos to ward off a heavy wet snow outside the Cabinet of Ministers in Kiev, Dec. 6, 2013.
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Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images
Anti-government protesters rally on Independence Square in Kiev, Dec. 7, 2013.
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Maxim Zmeyev/Reuters
A man holds a part of a statue of Soviet state founder Vladimir Lenin which was toppled by protesters during a rally organized by supporters of EU integration in Kiev, Dec. 8, 2013.
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Maxim Zmeyev/Reuters
A man holds a sledgehammer as he smashes a statue of Soviet state founder Vladimir Lenin, which was toppled by protesters during a rally in Kiev, Dec. 8, 2013.
Kiev
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Anti-government protesters hold a large rally on Independence Square in Kiev, Dec. 8, 2013.
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Ivan Sekretarev/AP
A Ukrainian protester gives pieces of the statue of Vladimir Lenin to people gathering around after toppling it, in Kiev, Dec. 8, 2013.
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Andrew Kravchenko/AP
Pro-European Union activists gather during a rally in Independence Square in Kiev, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013.
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Ivan Sekretarev/AP
Ukrainians wearing Cossack costumes and Pro-European Union activists attend a rally in Independence Square in Kiev, Dec. 8, 2013.
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Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP
Pro-European Union activists gather during a rally in Independence Square in Kiev, Dec. 8, 2013.
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Gleb Garanich/Reuters
A man, injured during a scuffle at a demonstration in support of EU integration, attends a rally in Kiev, Nov. 30, 2013.
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Sergei Grits/AP
A protester uses a chain as he and others clash with police outside of the presidential administration building in downtown Kiev, Dec. 1, 2013.
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Stoyan Nenov/Reuters
Protesters sing the Ukrainian anthem during a demonstration in support of EU integration at Independence Square in Kiev, Nov. 29, 2013.
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Gleb Garanich/Reuters
A man throws a flare in the direction of Interior Ministry members during a rally held by supporters of EU integration in Kiev, Dec. 1, 2013.
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Ivan Sekretarev/AP
Ukrainian protesters gather to march to Independence square in downtown Kiev, Dec. 1, 2013.
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Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters
Protesters clash with riot police during a rally to support EU integration in central Kiev, Nov. 24, 2013.
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Sergei Grits/AP
A firefighter throws a flare back to protesters during clashes with police guarding the presidential administration building in downtown Kiev, Dec. 1, 2013.
Kiev
Maks Levin/Reuters
Protesters clash with riot police during a rally to support EU integration in central Kiev, Nov. 24, 2013.
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Gleb Garanich/Reuters
Men kneel down while riot police stand guard near the presidential administration building during a rally held by supporters of EU integration in Kiev, Dec. 1, 2013.
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Gleb Garanich/Reuters
Protesters try to break through police lines near the presidential administration building during a rally held by supporters of EU integration in Kiev, Dec. 1, 2013.
