Ukraine President and Opponents Sign Deal in Bid to End Violence

After months of protests and a week of violent clashes that left more than 75 dead and threats of sanctions from the West, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and opposition leaders have signed a deal, brokered by Europe, that includes early but not yet scheduled elections and a new national unity government. “Ukraine has been at the center of a geopolitical struggle between Russia and the E.U. for the former Soviet republic’s political and economic ties,” reports Nate Rawlings for Time magazine. “Russian President Vladimir Putin sees Ukraine as the key to a potential Eurasian union with Moscow at the center, but many in the country want closer ties with Europe.” Some protesters still demand that the Ukrainian president step down. Ukraine has about $19 billion in debt, and depends on Russia for energy and as an export market. – YaleGlobal