Ukraine Seeks to Quell Revolt, Repeals Protest Laws

Ukraine's government has taken steps to end a potential nationwide uprising.

The country's parliament repealed a package of hardline anti-protest laws that set off violent clashes in the streets.

A few hours before the vote, the highly unpopular prime minister resigned his post.

President Viktor Yanukovych said he hopes those actions will placate the protestors, who are calling for his resignation and new elections.

It was Yanukovych's decision in November to scrap a deal with the European Union in favor of closer ties with Russia, a move that led to weeks of peaceful protests.

Then two weeks ago, the government cracked down, passing a batch of harsh laws to end the protests. But that only sparked violent confrontations between police and protestors. At least three demonstrators have been killed.

In recent days, the protestors stormed government buildings in Kiev and other cities across the country.

Evangelical leader Sergiy Tymchenko said that while some Christians disagree about their role in the protests, the crisis has brought many churches together.

"There is some division between people sometimes in one church or between different churches," he said. "At the same time there is more and more unity."

"The Orthodox Church and the Greek Catholic Church and some other churches that usually are not together, but now they feel unity in prayer and unity in God's call to be together," he said.