29/01/2014 09:51
Ukraine to debate amnesty for protesters
Ukraine's parliament is due to debate a possible amnesty for scores of protesters arrested in anti-government demonstrations, the BBC reported.
President Viktor Yanukovych has said he wants to make the amnesty conditional on protesters leaving official buildings and taking down barricades.
The opposition has so far ruled this out and is demanding early elections.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov and his cabinet resigned after months of protests.
Parliament also scrapped a controversial anti-protest law in the biggest concessions yet to opposition protesters.
Demonstrations began in November when Mr Yanukovych pulled out of a planned trade deal with the EU in favour of a $15bn (£9bn) bailout from Russia to bolster ailing public finances in the former Soviet state.
Hours before MPs in Kiev were due to discuss a possible amnesty for protesters, the White House said the issue had been raised in a telephone conversation between Vice-President Joe Biden and President Yanukovych on Tuesday.
The White House said Mr Biden welcomed "progress made today" and called on Mr Yanukovych to sign the repeal of several anti-protest laws.
"He strongly encouraged President Yanukovych to continue to work with the opposition to find compromises critical to a peaceful solution," a statement said.
"These include an amnesty law and a new government that can bring political unity, win the confidence of the Ukrainian people, and take Ukraine in the direction of Europe by strengthening democratic institutions and making the reforms necessary to achieve economic prosperity."