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[Helgoland]

...isn't that particular thing a standard though? obama is the supreme commander of the us armed forces for instance but normally stuff is being led by generals

Hell no! The only body that can command the German military is our parliament; the chancellor can't do squat without its approval. In a presidential system, this is usually different, though.

Also, German media report that police units from Western Ukraine have arrived on Maidan to defend it! I guess the protesters would be foolish not to press on right now.

[Ukrainian Ranger]

It's rather simple

a) Parliamentary opposition wants to rule one way or another
b) European politicians want to bring Ukraine in European sphere of influence out from Russian. I am not naive to think that they are worried about dead Ukrainians more than let's say, dead Syrians. They need to pretend to care more because of public opinion but that is all
c) Ukrainians want to get rid of the current political system and punish the ones responsible for deaths

A and B totally compatible with the deal
C is not

It is minor ad Hitlerum  but it is like if Allies started negotiations of peace with condition like having elections in Germany or replacing Hitler with Goering

[Helgoland]

I am not naive to think that they are worried about dead Ukrainians more than let's say, dead Syrians.

Oh, they are. They don't give a shit about dead Syrians, but you guys are at least the same color as them. Plus they kinda have to maintain the pretense that all of Eastern Europe became a democratic wonderland after 1990, which is not too compatible with blood flowing in the streets.

[Ukrainian Ranger]

Helgoland, Surely EU* wants to prevent the war and will put all of it's political resources on that

They don't want gas pipes being blown up
They don't want to lose a large market (countries with civil wars are bad customers)
They don't want millions of refugees on their territory
And so on.

It is good that European Politicans want no war in my country. But I am afraid that they are ready to tolerate unacceptable things to ensure peace

*Here I mean politicians, not Europeans as a whole

[XXSockXX]

It is good that European Politicans want no war in my country. But I am afraid that they are ready to tolerate unacceptable things to ensure peace

Well, if we're being cynical, the most important short-term interest for the EU is not to get overrun by refugees in case of a civil war, which would probably happen with Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania all bordering Ukraine. These countries seem to have been pushing for a more coherent approach by the EU and Poland has taken a leading position in the negotiations.

In terms of unacceptable things...it seems like there is some urgency to find a solution before it all breaks down. Some things might be the price to end the bloodshed. Other things might still get done later. There are voices in the EU too who want to see Yanukovych in court. Tymoshenko got jailed after her term as Prime Minister too, so why not Yanukovych? (if he doesn't flee of course)

It's not that clear, but it looks like the opposition might agree to the compromise. Maybe there have been changes, initially the elections were proposed for next winter, which is obviously way too late for the protesters. It hasn't been signed yet, but looks like it will.

The Russian mediator doesn't want to sign the agreement either. Also there is some sabre-rattling over Crimea now, which means that a break-up of the country should better be prevented sooner than later.

Also the Vice-Chief of the army has resigned to prevent escalation. And there are more rumors about regime people leaving the country, protesters even try to contol access to the airports now, to see who's running off with his money.

EDIT:
Seems like the Maidan council has accepted the terms.
Terms are:
- coalition government in 10 days, with participation of the opposition
- return to 2004 constitution in 48 hours, constitutional reform until September
- presidential elections until December

I've read earlier that parliament is also debating amnesty, no idea if that's part of the deal.

[Ukrainian Ranger]

The Polish foreign minister has been filmed telling a protest leader: "If you don't support this [deal] you'll have martial law, you'll have the army. You will all be dead."

[10ebbor10]

So, it's over?

[XXSockXX]

The Polish foreign minister has been filmed telling a protest leader: "If you don't support this [deal] you'll have martial law, you'll have the army. You will all be dead."

I bet the tone behind the scenes was very rough. But apparently a solution had to be found as soon as possible to avoid further bloodshed or an outright civil war.
It's understandable that protesters are not happy with the compromise, it seems very little was achieved if you consider the price that was paid.
Still it would probably have been much much worse with the situation spiraling out of control.

So, it's over?

It should be, but that remains to be seen...

[10ebbor10]

Well, it all depends who wins the elections. Won't surprise me if the country does fall apart after all if nothing ends up changing.

[XXSockXX]

First of all it depends on how the population accepts the deal. Radical forces are not happy at all with it.

Then it depends on how the government behaves, if they try to backpaddle or anything.

Elections are still far away, the country must make it that far first.

Basically everything that was achieved now would have been good in November, but now people want to see Yanukovych gone.

Apparently the Right Sector has announced that they will continue demonstrations. The people on Maidan seem to remain calm though.

[kaian-a-coel]

So I found this picture.

[10ebbor10]

There was a similar one (different viewpoint) on the front page of the newspaper today.

[olemars]

Here's the agreement as signed. Reportedly the constitution has already been rolled back by parliament to the 2004 edition. Everyone arrested for protesting receives amnesty.
I guess everyone is now watching what happens next on the square.

edit:

Spoiler: Text of the agreement (click to show/hide)

Final 6:45
Agreement on the Settlement of Crisis in Ukraine
Concerned with the tragic loss of life in Ukraine, seeking an immediate end of bloodshed and determined to pave the way for a political resolution of the crisis, We, the signing parties, have agreed upon the following:

1. Within 48 hours of the signing of this agreement, a special law will be adopted, signed and promulgated, which will restore the Constitution of 2004 including amendments passed until now. Signatories declare their intention to create a coalition and form a national unity government within 10 days thereafter.

2. Constitutional reform, balancing the powers of the President, the government and parliament, will start immediately and be completed in September 2014.

3. Presidential elections will be held as soon as the new Constitution is adopted but no later than December 2014. New electoral laws will be passed and a new Central election Commission will be formed on the basis of proportionality and inaccordance with the OSCE & Venice commission rules.

4. Investigation into recent acts of violence will be conducted under joint monitoring from the authorities, the opposition and the Council of Europe.

5. The authorities will not impose a state of emergency. The authorities and the opposition will refrain from the use of violence. The Parliament will adopt the 3rd amnesty, covering the same range of illegal actions as the 17th February 2014 law.
Both parties will undertake serious efforts for the normalisation of life in the cities and villages by withdrawing from administrative and public buildings and unblocking streets, city parks and squares. Illegal weapons should be handed over to the Ministry of Interior bodies within 24 hours of the special law, referred to in point 1 hereof, coming into force. After the aforementioned period, all cases of illegal carrying and storage of weapons will fall under the law of Ukraine. The forces of authorities and of the opposition will step back from confrontational posture. The Government will use lawenforcement forces exclusively for the physical protection of public buildings.

6. The Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, Poland and the Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation call for an immediate end to all violence and confrontation.

Kyiv, 21 February 2014

[Sinistar]

--- a wild double appears! ---

[Sinistar]

This "before and after" is quite interesting too.
I've found some clickable version of this with other pictures but dunno where...I thought it was BBC but I can't find it. Still, quite interesting.

As for breaking news - just heard 2004 resolution passed in parlament, also amnesty for protesters is either discussed or has also passed. (just ninja'd by olemars, dammit )
Some baroness (didn't catch her name) from UK I think that was involved in diplomacy talk was answering question earlier and was quite, hmmm, diplomatic when asked if Yanukovych will be removed from the post.

edit: also, there seems to be an open revolt of some parts of the police force. Saw a footage of large group of policemen in uniforms, not riot gear, march on the square, sporting pro-EU armbands.
I think that was actually already posted here, but can't find by whom.
Anyways, someone looking like being of a higher rank that other policemen that marched with the others said they will arm the protesters if needed, organize a professional counter-attack if have to.