Ukraine’s parliament approved a law providing amnesty to protesters detained during recent unrest, on the condition that protesters abandon their occupation of government buildings.  Because of that, opposition lawmakers boycotted the vote and many protesters rejected the condition.

“The authorities have themselves recognized that they are taking hostages as terrorists do, so they can trade the hostages,” said opposition leader Oleh Tyahnbok of the ultra-right Svoboda party.

“Is this a compromise, or are these political prisoners?” asked protester Artem Sharai in the main camp in Independence Square.  “We will seize new buildings, if the authorities don't really change the situation in the country,” he added.

Former heavyweight boxer Vitaly Klitschko, who represents the pro-European side of the opposition, told the occupiers that the fight would go on.  The opposition has, in addition to occupying some ministries, commandeered several CBD buildings to use as dormitories and staging areas.

The protests began in November when President Viktor Yanukovich suddenly backed out of a political and economic deal with the European Union in favor of an energy and aid pact with Moscow.  Pro-EU protesters lament the lost economic opportunities from the long-hoped for deal with Brussels; Nationalists and neo-nazis resent continued economic dependence on Ukraine’s former masters during the Soviet era.

And the pact with Moscow now has a big asterisk next to it.  Russian president Vladimir Putin indicated that he will hold back part of the aid until a new government is seated in Kiev.  The prime minister and his cabinet resigned this week in a move to placate protesters; that didn’t work, either.