section_path: Background/Euromaidan and Revolution of Dignity
section_name: Euromaidan and Revolution of Dignity
paragraph_text: Euromaidan and Revolution of Dignity
  
  In early 2013, the Ukrainian parliament overwhelmingly approved of finalizing a free trade and association agreement with the European Union (EU). The Kremlin pressured Ukraine to reject this agreement; Russia imposed embargoes on Ukrainian goods and threatened further sanctions. Kremlin adviser Sergei Glazyev warned that Russia might no longer acknowledge Ukraine's borders if the agreement was signed.
  
  Under pressure from Russia, in November 2013, Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych suddenly withdrew from signing the agreement. This sparked a wave of massive protests, known as the " Euromaidan ". The protesters opposed Russian interference, government corruption, abuse of power, and human rights violations, including new anti-protest laws.
  
  The protests would lead to the Revolution of Dignity. On 18–20 February 2014, more than 100 protesters were killed in clashes with Berkut special riot police; most of them were shot by snipers. On 21 February, Yanukovych and the leaders of the opposition signed an agreement to bring about an interim unity government, urgent constitutional changes (which needed signed by the president), and early elections. However, Yanukovych fled the capital that evening and did not inform parliament of his whereabouts. The next day, Ukraine's parliament unanimously voted to remove Yanukovych from office (about 73% of the parliament's 450 members voted).
  
  On 27 February, an interim government was established and early presidential elections were scheduled. The following day, Yanukovych resurfaced in Russia and declared that he remained the president of Ukraine. Some political leaders in the mainly Russian-speaking eastern regions declared continuing loyalty to Yanukovych.