Police respond with batons and tear gas . Ukraine 's president , Viktor Yanukovych , is in a tight spot . He has been accused of corruption by the opposition ( who are demanding his resignation ) but he also needs to keep Russia from invading eastern Ukraine. At the heart of the protests is Ukraine 's about-turn after a year of insisting that it was intent on signing a historic political and trade agreement with the European Union , . The EU wants him to release his bitter political opponent .
Police respond with batons and tear gas . Ukraine 's president , Viktor Yanukovych , is in a tight spot . He has been accused of corruption by the opposition ( who are demanding his resignation ) but he also needs to keep Russia from invading eastern Ukraine. The EU wants him to release his bitter political opponent .