MOSCOW, June 17 (RAPSI) - The law stripping Viktor Yanukovych of his presidential title will come into force on June 18, RIA Novosti reports Wednesday.

Passed in winter, the legislation was published only on June 17 in the Golos Ukrainy parliamentary newspaper. The Verkhovna Rada’s decision will take effect on the day following the publication.

In February, the Verkhovna Rada passed a bill depriving Yanukovych of his presidential title.

According to the Ukrainian Constitution, the president’s title is protected by law and stays with the holder for life unless the head of state is subject to impeachment. Yanukovych did not go through this procedure.

Kiev’s main square, Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square) was occupied by those who supported integration with the EU on November 21, 2013, soon after Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov announced that the EU association agreement would be suspended. Later, Maidan became the epicenter for clashes between security forces and the radical movement as the opposition repeatedly used firearms and Molotov cocktails. The confrontation resulted in dozens of victims.

After the coup on February 22, 2014, the Verkhovna Rada dismissed Viktor Yanukovych and changed the constitution in order to schedule the next presidential election. Petro Poroshenko was elected the new President of Ukraine.