-- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Kyiv as U.S. officials announced Washington is preparing a $1 billion aid package for Ukraine.
-- Speaking at a press conference at his residence, Russian President Vladimir Putin has called the change of government in Ukraine an "unconstitutional overthrow and an armed seizure of power."
-- Putin also said there are no considerations to annex Crimea and no intentions to provoke separatist sentiment. He said it is up to the citizens of Crimea to determine their own future.
-- In Crimea, there are standoffs between Russian and Ukrainian troops in their bases, with conflicting reports of ultimatums given to Ukrainian troops to surrender that come and pass.
-- Russian Ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin has said that Ukraine's ousted President Viktor Yanukovych sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin requesting that he use the Russian military to restore law and order in his country.
-- In eastern Ukraine, pro-Russian demonstrators have occupied part of the regional government building in the city of Donetsk. Meanwhile, a few hundred pro-Russian activists tried but failed to force their way into the regional administration building in the southern city of Odesa.
NOTE: Live blog updates are listed according to local time in Kyiv
Ukarine -- An alleged sniper and member of the pro-government forces is beaten by anti-government protesters in Kiev today.
Below, Sergei Kharchenko the head of the customs union is detained by members of the radical Right Sector in Uzgorod and tied to a poll.
19:3422.2.2014
Photos of Tymoshenko release
Photo Gallery:
Yulia Tymoshenko's Release From A Prison Hospital
Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko was released from a prison hospital in Kharkiv following a parliamentary vote granting her freedom. She had been imprisoned on abuse of office charges since 2011 that were widely seen as politically motivated.
19:3922.2.2014
20:1822.2.2014
White House welcomes constructive work in the Rada, does not mention Yanukovych
Here is the statement in full:
The United States is closely monitoring developments in Ukraine. We have consistently advocated a de-escalation of violence, constitutional change, a coalition government, and early elections, and today’s developments could move us closer to that goal. The unshakeable principle guiding events must be that the people of Ukraine determine their own future. We welcome constructive work in the Rada and continue to urge the prompt formation of a broad, technocratic government of national unity. We welcome former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko’s release from a prison hospital today, and we wish her a speedy recovery as she seeks the appropriate medical treatment that she has long needed and sought.
We continue to urge an end to violence by all sides and a focus on peaceful, democratic dialogue, working pursuant to Ukraine’s constitution and through its institutions of government. Going forward, we will work with our allies, with Russia, and with appropriate European and international organizations to support a strong, prosperous, unified, and democratic Ukraine. Going forward, the Ukrainian people should know that the United States deeply values our long-standing ties with Ukraine and will support them as they pursue a path of democracy and economic development.
20:4022.2.2014
Livestream of Tymoshenko speaking
21:3322.2.2014
Tymoshenko, looking frail, nonetheless seemed in her element on the Maidan stage. She spoke of the need to punish those responsible for the killings of Ukraine's "heroes" and apologized "for all politicians."
"Heroes do not die, they are always with us. They are our inspiration and our responsibility," she said.
"When I saw Kyiv I didn't recognize it," she said. "This is another Ukraine and Ukraine is another people."
Reporters on the scene said the crowd's reaction to the controversial politician was mixed.
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Our Ukrainian Service shot video of Tymoshenko's release from the prison hospital today.
21:5822.2.2014
Interfax reports the state border service refused to allow a chartered flight with Viktor Yanukovych to leave Donetsk.
22:0622.2.2014
It is still unclear how large the split is in the country over support for the Maidan movement. Thousands of people reportedly attended an anti-Maidan rally in Kharkiv, a strongly pro-Russian region in the east. And Simon Shuster, a correspondent for "Time" magazine spent the day in Sevastopol, home to the Russian Black Sea fleet.
The atmosphere there provides a stark contrast to that in Kyiv.
And watch what happened when a small group of people attempted to hold a pro-Maidan rally in Crimea.
