MARTIN BUREAU via Getty Images
Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko has declared that "a dictatorship has fallen" after her release from jail.
The former Prime Minister also declared her intention to run for the Presidency.
But President Viktor Yanukovych remained defiant, saying he was not quitting despite apparently quitting Kiev.
"What's happening now is, to a great extent, vandalism, banditry and a coup d'etat", he said.
Mr Yanukovych has been blocked from taking a plane to Russia, officials have revealed.
Before Parliament voted, Mr Yanukovych reportedly told a local TV station in Kharkiv he would not resign or leave Ukraine, comparing the situation in the country to the Nazis coming to power in 1930s Germany.
Yanukovych was nowhere to be seen as protesters and journalists walked freely through the presidential buildings, tweeting photographs of his bizarre private zoo:
The amazing spectacle had been hidden behind huge walls and never seen by the public.
Matt Frei, of Channel 4 News, described "ornamental lakes, marble statues, deer and antelope cast in bronze."
On Saturday, Parliament voted to remove him from office.
He was reported to be in Kharkhiv, near Russia.
The sudden rush of developments left a power vacuum in the riot-hit country, and rendered pointless the peace deal signed by Yanukovych and the opposition the previous day.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Ukraine
UKRAINE-POLITICS-UNREST(01 of40)
Anti-government protesters stand guard next to a police water cannon on the Independence square in Kiev on February 22, 2014. A member of Ukraine's parliament said on February 22 that President Viktor Yanukovych has promised to submit his resignation in response to violence that left nearly 100 dead in anti-government unrest. Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) opposition party lawmaker Mykola Katerynchuk told reporters that Ukraine's embattled leader said he would resign in a conversation with protest leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk. AFP PHOTO/ LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-POLITICS-UNREST(02 of40)
People gather outside the parliament in Kiev on February 22, 2014. A member of Ukraine's parliament said on February 22 that President Viktor Yanukovych has promised to submit his resignation in response to violence that left nearly 100 dead in anti-government unrest. Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) opposition party lawmaker Mykola Katerynchuk told reporters that Ukraine's embattled leader said he would resign in a conversation with protest leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk. AFP PHOTO/ LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-POLITICS-UNREST(03 of40)
An anti-government activist stands guard outside the Finance ministry in Kiev on February 22, 2014. A member of Ukraine's parliament said on February 22 that President Viktor Yanukovych has promised to submit his resignation in response to violence that left nearly 100 dead in anti-government unrest. Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) opposition party lawmaker Mykola Katerynchuk told reporters that Ukraine's embattled leader said he would resign in a conversation with protest leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk. AFP PHOTO/ LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-POLITICS-UNREST(04 of40)
People pay their respects to two anti-government protesters killed during the recent clashes, during a funeral ceremony on the Independence square in Kiev on February 22, 2014. A member of Ukraine's parliament said on February 22 that President Viktor Yanukovych has promised to submit his resignation in response to violence that left nearly 100 dead in anti-government unrest. Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) opposition party lawmaker Mykola Katerynchuk told reporters that Ukraine's embattled leader said he would resign in a conversation with protest leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk. AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-UNREST-POLITICS(05 of40)
Protesters walk past the main building of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's residency near Kiev on February 22, 2014. A member of Ukraine's parliament said on February 22 that President Viktor Yanukovych has promised to submit his resignation in response to violence that left nearly 100 dead in anti-government unrest. Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) opposition party lawmaker Mykola Katerynchuk told reporters that Ukraine's embattled leader said he would resign in a conversation with protest leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk. AFP PHOTO/GENYA SAVILOV (Photo credit should read GENYA SAVILOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-UNREST-POLITICS(06 of40)
People express their joy in front of the main building of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's residency near Kiev on February 22, 2014. A member of Ukraine's parliament said on February 22 that President Viktor Yanukovych has promised to submit his resignation in response to violence that left nearly 100 dead in anti-government unrest. Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) opposition party lawmaker Mykola Katerynchuk told reporters that Ukraine's embattled leader said he would resign in a conversation with protest leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk. AFP PHOTO/GENYA SAVILOV (Photo credit should read GENYA SAVILOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-POLITICS-UNREST(07 of40)
An anti-government activist stands guard outside the Finance ministry in Kiev on February 22, 2014. A member of Ukraine's parliament said on February 22 that President Viktor Yanukovych has promised to submit his resignation in response to violence that left nearly 100 dead in anti-government unrest. Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) opposition party lawmaker Mykola Katerynchuk told reporters that Ukraine's embattled leader said he would resign in a conversation with protest leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk. AFP PHOTO/ LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-UNREST-EU-RUSSIA-POLITICS(08 of40)
A man walks past empty Molotov cocktail bottles on Kiev's Independence Square on February 22, 2014. Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych denied on February 22 that he planned to resign in response to violence that left nearly 100 people dead in anti-government unrest. 'I am not leaving the country for anywhere. I do not intend to resign. I am the legitimately elected president,' Yanukovych told a local television station in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. AFP PHOTO/ SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-POLITICS-UNREST(09 of40)
Anti-government activists stand guard at the entrance of the Parliament in Kiev on February 22, 2014. A member of Ukraine's parliament said on February 22 that President Viktor Yanukovych has promised to submit his resignation in response to violence that left nearly 100 dead in anti-government unrest. Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) opposition party lawmaker Mykola Katerynchuk told reporters that Ukraine's embattled leader said he would resign in a conversation with protest leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk. AFP PHOTO/ LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-UNREST-EU-RUSSIA-POLITICS(10 of40)
A couple walks past empty Molotov cocktail bottles on Kiev's Independence Square on February 22, 2014. Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych denied on February 22 that he planned to resign in response to violence that left nearly 100 people dead in anti-government unrest. 'I am not leaving the country for anywhere. I do not intend to resign. I am the legitimately elected president,' Yanukovych told a local television station in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. AFP PHOTO/ SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-POLITICS-UNREST(11 of40)
An anti-government protester stands on a police vehicle on Indepence Square in Kiev on February 22, 2014. Ukraine's parliament on February 22 voted to hold early presidential elections on May 25, passing a resolution stating that Viktor Yanukovych had failed to properly fulfil his duties as president. The resolution said that Yanukovych 'is removing himself (from power) because he is not fulfilling his obligations, and (that parliament) is setting elections for May 25.' AFP PHOTO/ BULENT KILIC (Photo credit should read BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-UNREST-EU-RUSSIA-POLITICS(12 of40)
Newly-appointed Speaker of the Parliament Oleksandr Turchynov (R) prepares to deliver a speech during a session in Kiev on February 22, 2014. A member of Ukraine's parliament said on February 22 that President Viktor Yanukovych has promised to submit his resignation in response to violence that left nearly 100 dead in anti-government unrest. Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) opposition party lawmaker Mykola Katerynchuk told reporters that Ukraine's embattled leader said he would resign in a conversation with protest leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk. AFP PHOTO/ VOLODYMYR STRUMKOVSKY (Photo credit should read VOLODYMYR STRUMKOVSKY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-POLITICS-UNREST(13 of40)
Anti-government protesters celebrate in central in Kiev on February 22, 2014. The regime of Ukraine's president appeared close to collapse on February 22 as the emboldened opposition took control of central Kiev and key government and parliament positions and voted to immediately free its jailed leader Yulia Tymoshenko. AFP PHOTO/ LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-POLITICS-UNREST(14 of40)
Anti-government protesters ride on a military truck in Kiev on February 22, 2014. Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych said on February 22 he would not sign any of the new laws passed by parliament, which included a measure to release the jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko. 'The decisions they are taking today are illegitimate. They must hear this from me -- I do not intend to sign anything,' Yanukovych told a local television station in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. AFP PHOTO/ LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-POLITICS-UNREST(15 of40)
People cheer as anti-government protesters arrive outside the Parliament in Kiev on February 22, 2014. Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych said on February 22 he would not sign any of the new laws passed by parliament, which included a measure to release the jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko. 'The decisions they are taking today are illegitimate. They must hear this from me -- I do not intend to sign anything,' Yanukovych told a local television station in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. AFP PHOTO/ LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-POLITICS-UNREST(16 of40)
People cheer as anti-government protesters arrive outside the Parliament in Kiev on February 22, 2014. Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych said on February 22 he would not sign any of the new laws passed by parliament, which included a measure to release the jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko. 'The decisions they are taking today are illegitimate. They must hear this from me -- I do not intend to sign anything,' Yanukovych told a local television station in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. AFP PHOTO/ LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-POLITICS-UNREST(17 of40)
People attend a funeral service for two anti-government protesters killed during the recent clashes on the Independence square in Kiev on February 22, 2014. A member of Ukraine's parliament said on February 22 that President Viktor Yanukovych has promised to submit his resignation in response to violence that left nearly 100 dead in anti-government unrest. Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) opposition party lawmaker Mykola Katerynchuk told reporters that Ukraine's embattled leader said he would resign in a conversation with protest leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk. AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-POLITICS-UNREST(18 of40)
People celebrate outside the Parliament in Kiev on February 22, 2014. A member of Ukraine's parliament said on February 22 that President Viktor Yanukovych has promised to submit his resignation in response to violence that left nearly 100 dead in anti-government unrest. Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) opposition party lawmaker Mykola Katerynchuk told reporters that Ukraine's embattled leader said he would resign in a conversation with protest leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk.AFP PHOTO/ LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-POLITICS-UNREST(19 of40)
A woman weeps while shouting 'honour to our heroes' during a funeral service for the anti-government protesters who were killed during the recent clashes in Kiev on February 22, 2014. Ukraine's parliament on February 22 voted to hold early presidential elections on May 25, passing a resolution stating that Viktor Yanukovych had failed to properly fulfil his duties as president. The resolution said that Yanukovych 'is removing himself (from power) because he is not fulfilling his obligations, and (that parliament) is setting elections for May 25.' AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-UNREST-EU-RUSSIA-POLITICS-YANUKOVYCH(20 of40)
The Head of UDAR (Punch) party Vitalii Klitschko (above) and his deputies applaud after a voting to hold early presidential elections on May 25 during a Parliament session in Kiev on February 22, 2014. Ukraine's parliament on February 22 voted to hold early presidential elections on May 25, passing a resolution stating that Viktor Yanukovych had failed to properly fulfil his duties as president. The resolution said that Yanukovych 'is removing himself (from power) because he is not fulfilling his obligations, and (that parliament) is setting elections for May 25.' AFP PHOTO/ YURY KIRNICHNY (Photo credit should read YURY KIRNICHNY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-POLITICS-UNREST(21 of40)
Newly-elected Parliament Speaker Oleksandr Turchynov (C) poses with a group of anti-government protesters outside the Parliament in Kiev on February 22, 2014. Ukraine's parliament on February 22 voted to hold early presidential elections on May 25, passing a resolution stating that Viktor Yanukovych had failed to properly fulfil his duties as president. The resolution said that Yanukovych 'is removing himself (from power) because he is not fulfilling his obligations, and (that parliament) is setting elections for May 25.' AFP PHOTO/ LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-POLITICS-UNREST(22 of40)
A woman weeps while shouting 'honour to our heroes' during a funeral service for the anti-government protesters who were killed during the recent clashes in Kiev on February 22, 2014. Ukraine's parliament on February 22 voted to hold early presidential elections on May 25, passing a resolution stating that Viktor Yanukovych had failed to properly fulfil his duties as president. The resolution said that Yanukovych 'is removing himself (from power) because he is not fulfilling his obligations, and (that parliament) is setting elections for May 25.' AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-UNREST-POLITICS(23 of40)
Anti-government protesters stand guard in front of the main building of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's residency near Kiev on February 22, 2014. A member of Ukraine's parliament said on February 22 that President Viktor Yanukovych has promised to submit his resignation in response to violence that left nearly 100 dead in anti-government unrest. Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) opposition party lawmaker Mykola Katerynchuk told reporters that Ukraine's embattled leader said he would resign in a conversation with protest leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk. AFP PHOTO/GENYA SAVILOV (Photo credit should read GENYA SAVILOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-UNREST-POLITICS(24 of40)
People express their joy in front of the main building of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's residency near Kiev on February 22, 2014. A member of Ukraine's parliament said on February 22 that President Viktor Yanukovych has promised to submit his resignation in response to violence that left nearly 100 dead in anti-government unrest. Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) opposition party lawmaker Mykola Katerynchuk told reporters that Ukraine's embattled leader said he would resign in a conversation with protest leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk. AFP PHOTO/GENYA SAVILOV (Photo credit should read GENYA SAVILOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-POLITICS-UNREST(25 of40)
A woman weeps during a funeral service for the anti-government protesters who were killed during the recent clashes in Kiev on February 22, 2014. Ukraine's parliament on February 22 voted to hold early presidential elections on May 25, passing a resolution stating that Viktor Yanukovych had failed to properly fulfil his duties as president. The resolution said that Yanukovych 'is removing himself (from power) because he is not fulfilling his obligations, and (that parliament) is setting elections for May 25.' AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-UNREST-EU-RUSSIA-POLITICS(26 of40)
Anti-government activists react after the vote of the Ukrainian Parliament as they rally outside the building in Kiev, on February 22, 2014. Ukraine's parliament on Saturday voted to hold early presidential elections on May 25, passing a resolution stating that Viktor Yanukovych had failed to properly fulfil his duties as president. The resolution said that Yanukovych 'is removing himself (from power) because he is not fulfilling his obligations, and (that parliament) is setting elections for May 25.' AFP PHOTO/ SERGEY GAPON (Photo credit should read SERGEY GAPON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-UNREST-EU-RUSSIA-POLITICS-YANUKOVYCH(27 of40)
Anti-government activists react after the vote of the Ukrainian Parliament in Kiev as they rally outside the building in Kiev, on February 22, 2014. Ukraine's parliament on Saturday voted to hold early presidential elections on May 25, passing a resolution stating that Viktor Yanukovych had failed to properly fulfil his duties as president. The resolution said that Yanukovych 'is removing himself (from power) because he is not fulfilling his obligations, and (that parliament) is setting elections for May 25.' AFP PHOTO/ YURY KIRNICHNY (Photo credit should read YURY KIRNICHNY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-POLITICS-UNREST(28 of40)
Anti-government activists stand guard outside the Parliament in Kiev during a session on February 22, 2014. A member of Ukraine's parliament said on February 22 that President Viktor Yanukovych has promised to submit his resignation in response to violence that left nearly 100 dead in anti-government unrest. Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) opposition party lawmaker Mykola Katerynchuk told reporters that Ukraine's embattled leader said he would resign in a conversation with protest leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk. AFP PHOTO/ LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-POLITICS-UNREST(29 of40)
An opposition party member addresses the crowd outside the Parliament in Kiev on February 22, 2014. Ukraine's parliament on February 22, 2014 voted to hold early presidential elections on May 25, passing a resolution stating that Viktor Yanukovych had failed to properly fulfil his duties as president. The resolution said that Yanukovych 'is removing himself (from power) because he is not fulfilling his obligations, and (that parliament) is setting elections for May 25.' AFP PHOTO/ LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-UNREST-POLITICS(30 of40)
This picture taken through a window on February 22, 2014 shows the interior of the main building of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's residency near Kiev. A member of Ukraine's parliament said on February 22 that President Viktor Yanukovych has promised to submit his resignation in response to violence that left nearly 100 dead in anti-government unrest. Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) opposition party lawmaker Mykola Katerynchuk told reporters that Ukraine's embattled leader said he would resign in a conversation with protest leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk. AFP PHOTO/GENYA SAVILOV (Photo credit should read GENYA SAVILOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-POLITICS-UNREST(31 of40)
People carry coffins during a funeral service to anti-government protesters killed during recent clashes with Ukrainian forces, in Kiev, on February 22, 2014. The regime of Ukraine's president appeared close to collapse on February 22 as the emboldened opposition took control of central Kiev and key government and parliament positions and voted to immediately free its jailed leader Yulia Tymoshenko. AFP PHOTO/ LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-POLITICS-UNREST(32 of40)
A woman holds a USSR flag during a rally of a newly organized movement called Eastern Front in the eastern industrial city of Donetsk on February 22, 2014, calling for the separation of the South East of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych refused to step down Saturday and denounced a 'coup' by protesters as the emboldened opposition took control of parliament and parts of Kiev in another dramatic turn in the three-month crisis. AFP PHOTO/ ALEXANDER KHUDOTEPLY (Photo credit should read Alexander KHUDOTEPLY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-POLITICS-UNREST(33 of40)
People carry a coffin during a funeral service for two anti-government protesters killed during the recent clashes on the Independence square in Kiev on February 22, 2014. A member of Ukraine's parliament said on February 22 that President Viktor Yanukovych has promised to submit his resignation in response to violence that left nearly 100 dead in anti-government unrest. Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) opposition party lawmaker Mykola Katerynchuk told reporters that Ukraine's embattled leader said he would resign in a conversation with protest leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk. AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-POLITICS-UNREST(34 of40)
People pay their respects to two anti-government protesters killed during the recent clashes, during a funeral ceremony on the Independence square in Kiev on February 22, 2014. A member of Ukraine's parliament said on February 22 that President Viktor Yanukovych has promised to submit his resignation in response to violence that left nearly 100 dead in anti-government unrest. Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) opposition party lawmaker Mykola Katerynchuk told reporters that Ukraine's embattled leader said he would resign in a conversation with protest leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk. AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-UNREST-POLITICS(35 of40)
A man holding a European Union flag poses in front of the main building of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's residency near Kiev on February 22, 2014. A member of Ukraine's parliament said on February 22 that President Viktor Yanukovych has promised to submit his resignation in response to violence that left nearly 100 dead in anti-government unrest. Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) opposition party lawmaker Mykola Katerynchuk told reporters that Ukraine's embattled leader said he would resign in a conversation with protest leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk. AFP PHOTO/GENYA SAVILOV (Photo credit should read GENYA SAVILOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-UNREST-POLITICS(36 of40)
This picture taken on February 22, 2014 shows the main building of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's residency near Kiev. A member of Ukraine's parliament said on February 22 that President Viktor Yanukovych has promised to submit his resignation in response to violence that left nearly 100 dead in anti-government unrest. Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) opposition party lawmaker Mykola Katerynchuk told reporters that Ukraine's embattled leader said he would resign in a conversation with protest leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk. AFP PHOTO/GENYA SAVILOV (Photo credit should read GENYA SAVILOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-POLITICS-UNREST(37 of40)
An opposition party member addresses the crowd outside the Parliament in Kiev on February 22, 2014. Ukraine's parliament on February 22, 2014 voted to hold early presidential elections on May 25, passing a resolution stating that Viktor Yanukovych had failed to properly fulfil his duties as president. The resolution said that Yanukovych 'is removing himself (from power) because he is not fulfilling his obligations, and (that parliament) is setting elections for May 25.'AFP PHOTO/ LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-POLITICS-UNREST(38 of40)
An anti-government protester stands on a police vehicle on Indepence Square in Kiev on February 22, 2014. Ukraine's parliament on February 22 voted to hold early presidential elections on May 25, passing a resolution stating that Viktor Yanukovych had failed to properly fulfil his duties as president. The resolution said that Yanukovych 'is removing himself (from power) because he is not fulfilling his obligations, and (that parliament) is setting elections for May 25.' AFP PHOTO/ BULENT KILIC (Photo credit should read BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-POLITICS-UNREST(39 of40)
People pay their respects to two anti-government protesters killed during the recent clashes, during a funeral ceremony on the Independence square in Kiev on February 22, 2014. A member of Ukraine's parliament said on February 22 that President Viktor Yanukovych has promised to submit his resignation in response to violence that left nearly 100 dead in anti-government unrest. Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) opposition party lawmaker Mykola Katerynchuk told reporters that Ukraine's embattled leader said he would resign in a conversation with protest leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk. AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(40 of40)
KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 22: A man thought to be a Berkut, (riot police) is detained by anti-government demonstrators in Independence square February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. The offices of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych have been left unguarded, with the protesters in full control of the streets surrounding the government district. The opposition have called for elections to take place on May 25 and demanded that President Yanukovych stand down immediately. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
It comes after the Ukrainian parliament voted in favour of stripping a law that could allow for the release of Tymoshenko, who was defeated in 2010 presidential elections by Yanukovych and imprisoned in 2011 on likely trumped up charges relating to an abuse of office.