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         Protesters Remain in Ukraine's Capital Despite Peace Agreement

   by VOA News

   Thousands of protesters remained in Kyiv's Independence Square
   overnight, not pleased with a deal between Ukraine's president and the
   opposition aimed at ending the country's political crisis.
   Many of the protesters continue to demand the immediate resignation of
   embattled President Viktor Yanukovych, who some reports say has left
   the capital.
   The United States says the deal signed Friday is "very very fragile"
   and needs global support. A State Department official said the deal
   will be a "tough sell" to the opposition in the streets because of the
   recent violence and deaths.
   President Barack Obama telephoned Russian President Vladimir Putin
   Friday to talk about Ukraine. The official says both leaders agree on
   the need to quickly implement the deal and encourage all sides to avoid
   violence.
   Friday's agreement returns the country back to the 2004 constitution,
   limiting presidential powers. The deal also includes setting up a
   coalition government and early elections.
   Protests erupted in Ukraine in November when President Yanukovych
   backed out of a trade deal with the European Union in favor of closer
   ties to Russia.
   The protests began peacefully but sank into violence earlier this
   month, leaving nearly 100 people dead, including some protesters shot
   in the head by police snipers.
   A U.N. spokesperson says Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon phoned Ukrainian
   President Yanukovych to personally welcome Friday's agreement. The
   official says Mr. Ban commends the spirit of compromise.
   Foreign ministers from France, Germany and Poland helped broker the
   deal.
   Along with early elections, the deal would replace Interior Minister
   Vitali Zakharchenko, who the opposition blames for the deaths of
   protesters. It amends the criminal code to allow for the release of
   release of former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko from prison.
   Ukraine is split among those in the east who favor ties with Russia,
   and those in the west who lean towards the European Union.
   In another development Saturday, media reports say Ukraine's
   pro-government parliament speaker Volodymyr Rybak has submitted his
   resignation, citing ill health.
   U.S. President Obama is downplaying suggestions that Ukraine is a
   battlefield in a new Cold War with Russia. He said this week that the
   U.S. wants to make sure the people of Ukraine are able to make their
   own decision about the future.
   A State Department official says the U.S., Europe, Russia and Ukraine
   all have shared interests.
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/protesters-remain-in-ukraines-capital-despite-peace-agreement/1856973.html