Ukraine's embattled President Viktor Yanukovych accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, a key demand of anti-government protesters who’ve gridlocked the capital for months. It came after parliament voted overwhelmingly to annul a controversial anti-protest law.
“We have been doing everything to prevent bloodshed, escalation of violence, violations of citizens' rights,” read the resignation letter. “For all these difficult years I have been doing my best for Ukraine to develop normally as a democratic European state.”
All of this is good news for the protesters who have occupied the streets and squares outside key government buildings in Kiev since November, and sometimes the buildings themselves. But as of yet, there’s no sign they’re going to end that occupation.
Azarof was held in special contempt by the protesters who viewed him as responsible for police using excessive force. At least five protesters have been killed in the violence surrounding the demonstrations. Officials say three cops were stabbed in the protests that spread far outside Kiev, the final straw for those groups being the anti-protest law. Officials say one of the stabbed officers died.