国际英语新闻:Commitments to resolving crisis met: Ukraine president

KIEV, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian authorities had met their commitments to the opposition to resolve the country's political crisis, President Viktor Yanukovych said Thursday.

"We fulfilled all the obligations agreed during talks with the opposition. In particular, the parliament has approved an amnesty bill," the presidential press service quoted Yanukovych as saying.

Despite the government's concessions, opposition leaders continued to escalate the situation by encouraging people to take to the streets amid freezing temperatures, Yanukovych said.

Earlier this week, Yanukovych granted a series of concessions to the opposition in order to end the two-month-long protests, which have left at least four people dead and hundreds injured, including police officers.

To find a solution to the crisis and prevent further bloodshed, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov resigned Tuesday. Meanwhile, the parliament scrapped harsh anti-protest laws and approved legislation granting amnesty to protesters arrested during the anti-government rallies.

However, opposition leaders demand more concessions, pressing for early presidential and parliamentary elections, a review of the constitution and release of jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.

Mass protests were sparked in Ukraine last November following a government decision to reject an association agreement with the European Union and opt for closer relations with Russia.

Protests in Ukraine turned violent about 11 days ago, when radical activists attacked riot police with fireworks and petrol bombs.

Hundreds of protesters have been detained for attacking police during the clashes. The activists also seized a score of administrative buildings in western, central and northern Ukraine.