Mikola Azarov, Ukraine’s Prime Minister, resigned on 28 January, the latest attempt by the administration of President Viktor Yanukovych to defuse an escalating two-month stand-off with anti-government protesters, which began after Mr Yanukovych turned his back on a trade-and-political deal with the European Union in favour of ties with Russia.

In a statement posted on the government website, Mr Azarov, a longtime Yanukovych loyalist and Prime Minister since 2010, explained his decision as being driven in the spirit of “compromise” and desire for a “peaceful resolution to the conflict”. Mr Yanukovych accepted the resignation later in the day and ordered Mr Azarov and all ministers to remain in post as acting ministers until a new government is formed. Separately, in line with compromise talks between pro-presidential and opposition politicians, Ukraine’s parliament voted by 361 votes to two to repeal controversial anti-protest legislation adopted on 16 January which imposed hefty fines and lengthy jail sentences on protest activities.