Ukraine has pledged to drop charges against hundreds of protesters after activists ended their occupation of administrative buildings in Kiev and other cities.
The reciprocal moves could remove one source of tension between allies and opponents of President Viktor Yanukovich, but another is looming with protesters planning a "peaceful offensive" on parliament tomorrow to demand a sharp cut in the head of state's powers.
The European Union welcomed a compromise deal that saw activists leave Kiev city hall and government buildings in four cities in western Ukraine. Opposition leaders want to hear how the EU intends to help Ukraine when they meet German chancellor Angela Merkel today.
Ukraine’s prosecutor general, Viktor Pshonka, said the amnesty law would come into effect today, after he received confirmation the protesters had left government buildings and allowed traffic to restart on Grushevsky Street in Kiev.
Poised for reoccupation
Demonstrators demanding Mr Yanukovich's resignation still control the area around Kiev city hall and Grushevsky Street, and say they are ready to rebuild all barriers and reoccupy the building if the state reneges. They hold three buildings around the main protest camp on Kiev's Independence Square, known as Maidan.
Grushevsky Street was the epicentre of fighting last month between activists and riot police in which several died. Some were shot dead, but officials deny bullets were fired by riot police or snipers.
"Many ask whether we had to pay this price to free people. The question of liberating the regional administrations is being seen in different ways . . . But life looks different when you are behind bars. Today about 300 activists were freed, and this is very important," said opposition leader Vitali Klitschko.
Constitutional reinstigation
Another liberal opposition chief, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, demanded parliament return Ukraine's constitution to its 2004 form, transferring many powers from the president to parliament and government: "If this week we fail to see a result inside parliament, it will mean only one thing – the authorities are moving towards an escalation and sharpening of the situation. Then this conflict will not be decided in parliament, but on the streets."
Nationalist leader Oleh Tyahnybok told crowds on Independence Square: “On Tuesday there will be a session of parliament – this will be a landmark day in our battle. The authorities are splitting at the seams – let’s tear them apart! On Tuesday from 8am, we will form columns and go from Maidan to parliament.”
Mr Yatsenyuk said he and Mr Klitschko wanted to hear from Dr Merkel today “what political and economic package the European Union is offering us. The Ukrainian people are appealing to their friends in the EU: we need help. We don’t need words, we need actions.”
