There was no immediate reaction from the opposition figures


KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine's president proposed an amnesty Friday for all protesters facing criminal charges in the country's wave of massive anti-government demonstrations.


There was no immediate reaction from the opposition figures, who earlier had said they were going to the meeting only to state their demands, including that the government resign and early parliamentary and presidential elections be held.

"There should be an amnesty, in order to give guarantees that the process of confrontation will stop," Yanukovych said.


The proposed amnesty could be a sizeable step toward resolving the conflict that has threatened Yanukovych's leadership. The protests began after Yanukovych on Nov. 21 refused to sign an association deal with the 28-nation European Union, choosing instead to back closer ties with Russia.

Demonstrators have set up an extensive tent camp in the capital's main square, where protesters gather around the clock. After squads of riot police deployed at the square early Tuesday, then withdrew hours later as demonstrators stood their ground, protesters' spirits have been high. New barricades have been erected on streets leading to the square.

In another possible sign of progress, the deputy prime minister said that Ukraine wants to soon sign the agreement to deepen economic and political ties with the EU.

Yet this economically troubled nation of 46 million is deeply divided over the EU deal. Many people in eastern Ukraine, the country's rural heartland, are against the protesters in Kiev and want the country to have closer economic ties with Russia.

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