In Their Own Words: Ukrainian Activists Celebrate

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In Their Own Words: Ukrainian Activists Celebrate
Ukrainian protesters gather to march to Independence square in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013. The pact that sparked the protests was was signed on Friday. Credit: Ivan Sekretarev

Ukraine's newly elected president Petro Poroshenko signed a historic trade pact with the European Union on Friday.

The pact, which will create closer economic and political ties with the EU, represents a move toward the West for the Ukrainians.

It was the rejection of a trade pact in November by Poroshenko's predecessor that sparked his ouster and eventually brought the country to the brink of war.

Today, Ukrainians took to the streets once again, this time to celebrate their progress. Activists who fought to push Ukraine in this direction told Mashable what the decision means to them -- and what is next for their country.

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