20 questions: What’s behind Ukraine’s political crisis?

Saeed Ahmed. Greg Botelho and Marie-Louise Gumuchian, CNN
6 minute read
Updated 4:26 PM EST, Thu February 20, 2014
Ukrainian demonstrators gather in Kiev's Maidan, or Independence Square, on February 21, 2014, a day after the bloodiest day of revolution protests. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/20/europe/ukraine-conflict/index.html">Nearly 50 activists were killed and hundreds more injured in clashes </a>in the square on February 20, 2014. The street protests soon led to the ouster of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych and triggered a chain of events that included Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and fighting in Eastern Ukraine with pro-Russian separatist forces.
Ukrainian demonstrators gather in Kiev's Maidan, or Independence Square, on February 21, 2014, a day after the bloodiest day of revolution protests. Nearly 50 activists were killed and hundreds more injured in clashes in the square on February 20, 2014. The street protests soon led to the ouster of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych and triggered a chain of events that included Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and fighting in Eastern Ukraine with pro-Russian separatist forces.
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A protester aims a gun in the direction of suspected sniper fire in Kiev on Thursday, February 20. Thousands of demonstrators had packed Independence Square since November when President Viktor Yanukovych reversed a decision on a trade deal with the European Union and instead turned toward Russia.
A protester aims a gun in the direction of suspected sniper fire in Kiev on Thursday, February 20. Thousands of demonstrators had packed Independence Square since November when President Viktor Yanukovych reversed a decision on a trade deal with the European Union and instead turned toward Russia.
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Police use water cannons against protesters in Kiev on February 20.
Police use water cannons against protesters in Kiev on February 20.
YEVGENY MALOLETKA/EPA/LANDOV
An injured protester is carried away from Independence Square on a stretcher February 20.
An injured protester is carried away from Independence Square on a stretcher February 20.
Efrem Lukatsky/AP
Captured police officers are led away by protesters in Kiev on February 20.
Captured police officers are led away by protesters in Kiev on February 20.
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A woman on February 20 mourns over protesters who were killed during clashes.
A woman on February 20 mourns over protesters who were killed during clashes.
SERGEY DOLZHENKO/EPA
Protesters rebuild barricades in Independence Square on February 20.
Protesters rebuild barricades in Independence Square on February 20.
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Riot police face protesters in Kiev on February 20.
Riot police face protesters in Kiev on February 20.
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Protesters man a barricade on the outskirts of Independence Square on February 20.
Protesters man a barricade on the outskirts of Independence Square on February 20.
Marko Drobnjakovic/AP
An injured protester is evacuated from Independence Square on February 20.
An injured protester is evacuated from Independence Square on February 20.
Efrem Lukatsky/AP
A priest walks with a cross and shield during clashes in central Kiev on February 20.
A priest walks with a cross and shield during clashes in central Kiev on February 20.
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Medics embrace in the lobby of the Hotel Ukraine on February 20.
Medics embrace in the lobby of the Hotel Ukraine on February 20.
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A high-ranking police officer, left, and a representative for the protesters speak with each other near the Cabinet of Ministers in Kiev on February 20.
A high-ranking police officer, left, and a representative for the protesters speak with each other near the Cabinet of Ministers in Kiev on February 20.
Efrem Lukatsky/AP
Protesters light Molotov cocktails in Kiev on February 20.
Protesters light Molotov cocktails in Kiev on February 20.
Marko Drobnjakovic/AP
Protesters clash with police in Independence Square on February 20.
Protesters clash with police in Independence Square on February 20.
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Protesters move up an embankment in Kiev on February 20.
Protesters move up an embankment in Kiev on February 20.
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An injured demonstrator is carried away from Independence Square on February 20.
An injured demonstrator is carried away from Independence Square on February 20.
LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images
A protester shouts during clashes with police on February 20.
A protester shouts during clashes with police on February 20.
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Protesters run from a burning barricade in Kiev on February 20.
Protesters run from a burning barricade in Kiev on February 20.
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A protester rolls a tire toward burning barricades on February 20.
A protester rolls a tire toward burning barricades on February 20.
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Protesters advance to new positions in Kiev on February 20.
Protesters advance to new positions in Kiev on February 20.
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Fireworks explode over protesters in Independence Square on Wednesday, February 19.
Fireworks explode over protesters in Independence Square on Wednesday, February 19.
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A protester throws a Molotov cocktail in Kiev on February 19.
A protester throws a Molotov cocktail in Kiev on February 19.
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Protesters clash with police in Independence Square on February 19.
Protesters clash with police in Independence Square on February 19.
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Protesters use a compressed air cannon to launch a Molotov cocktail toward police lines in Independence Square on February 19.
Protesters use a compressed air cannon to launch a Molotov cocktail toward police lines in Independence Square on February 19.
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A protester hurls a Molotov cocktail toward police on February 19.
A protester hurls a Molotov cocktail toward police on February 19.
LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images
Police take cover behind shields as fireworks go off in Kiev on February 19.
Police take cover behind shields as fireworks go off in Kiev on February 19.
Yevgeny Maloletka/ITAR-TASS/Landov
Police form a barrier in Independence Square on February 19.
Police form a barrier in Independence Square on February 19.
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Protesters throw rocks at riot police in Independence Square on February 19.
Protesters throw rocks at riot police in Independence Square on February 19.
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Independence Square smolders during protests on February 19.
Independence Square smolders during protests on February 19.
SERGEY DOLZHENKO/EPA/LANDOV
Riot police officers rest against a column in Independence Square on February 19.
Riot police officers rest against a column in Independence Square on February 19.
DANYLO PRYHODKO/EPA/LANDOV
An injured protester is moved out during clashes with riot police in Kiev on February 19.
An injured protester is moved out during clashes with riot police in Kiev on February 19.
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Protesters protect themselves with shields as they clash with police in Kiev on February 19.
Protesters protect themselves with shields as they clash with police in Kiev on February 19.
SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters sleep on the floor inside a Kiev monastery on February 19.
Protesters sleep on the floor inside a Kiev monastery on February 19.
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A protester rushes through a broken door in the regional prosecutor's office in Lviv, Ukraine, on February 19. Police said the unrest has spread to western Ukraine, with protesters attacking police and local government offices in a number of regions.
A protester rushes through a broken door in the regional prosecutor's office in Lviv, Ukraine, on February 19. Police said