Ukrainians not satisfied with deal

There’s an uneasy calm in Ukraine tonight.

It comes as a number of political moves were made today to try and bring the deadly clashes between anti-government protesters and Ukrainian police to an end. As many as 100 people were killed in Kyiv’s Independence Square in the violence.

Despite the calm, officials caution the situation is still fragile, with protesters remaining on the streets.

In Hamilton, a candlelight vigil will be held at the Church of the Holy Spirit tonight in memory of those who have lost their lives in the violence. It comes as many Ukrainians say today’s agreement is not enough.

This morning – smoke could still be seen in the distance. Many protesters say they want more than the agreement – they want President Viktor Yanukovich to immediately be removed from office.

Later, opposition protesters held a large rally in Independence Square. According to reports they listened to police officers from Lviv who joined the anti-government protest.

The concessions were made under pressure from european mediators. Yanukovich says he’ll form a coalition government with the opposition, and there will be an early election. The next election was to take place in 2015. Now it will most likely be in December.

The agreement limits presidential powers by restoring Ukraine’s 2004 constitution, which president Yanukovich changed when he was elected in 2010.

When it was announced, fighting broke out in Ukraine’s parliament.

The fight erupted after the speaker declared a pause, delaying the debate on the possible resolution to call for a limit in Yanukovich’s powers. The chamber descended into chaos for several minutes.

Today Russian president Vladimir Putin met with his security council members, including the prime minister and foreign minister. Russia immediately criticized the agreement, calling the protests a western-backed coup attempt.

However the White House is welcoming a deal brokered to end the deadly standoff. Presidents Obama and Putin discussed the crisis by phone Friday.

White House press secretary put forth Obama’s position: “The fact of the matter is it is in Russia’s interest for violence to end in Ukraine as it is in the interest of the United States and our European friends, and most importantly the Ukrainian people. We welcome the cessation of violence.”

The White House says they’re not ruling out sanctions to hold those responsible for the violence accountable.

The anti-government protests began in November when Yanukovich shelved a deal with the European Union in favor of accepting a $15 billion dollar bailout loan from Russia.