Ukraine President Yanukovich Announces 'Truce' With Opposition Leaders

Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovich agreed to a truce with opposition leaders in Kiev as the city still burns from protests that began in late November.

According to the presidential statement the meeting was attended by opposition leaders Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Vitali Klitschko and Oleg Tyagnibok. There are no details on Yanukovich’s site regarding the truce, just an announcement of what they agreed on. (Translation from site)

During the meeting the parties announced :

1. truce

2. The beginning of negotiations to end the bloodshed , to stabilize the situation in the country for the sake of civil peace.

The protests started in late November after Yanukovich turned down a trade deal with the European Union in favor of a $15 billion bailout with Russia. The protests grew worse in January when parliament pushed through strict anti-demonstration laws. On Tuesday, over 20 people were killed in clashes between rioters and police.