Only a day before Kiev exploded, it had seemed that a three-month-long stand-off between protesters and the government of President Viktor Yanukovych was ending. The government had agreed to an amnesty for protesters who, in turn, began to dismantle their barricades and leave the public buildings they had occupied. Mr Yanukovych and the opposition were talking about a coalition government and a return to the 2004 constitution, which limited presidential powers. The world breathed a wary sigh of relief. Yet less than 24 hours later the agreement, and parts of central Kiev, were in flames.
展开▼
