November 24, 2013
Objecting to the halt of talks about building a close relationship with the European Union, the perception of widespread government corruption, abuse of power, and violation of human rights in Ukraine, 100,000 Ukrainians joined protests in Kiev and launched an occupation of Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square.) Police set up a cordon to contain the crowd; when protesters attempted to break through, police fired tear gas. In late February 2014, President Yanukovych and many other high government officials fled the country.
