This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25180502

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Ukraine unrest: Protesters in stand-off over EU deal Ukraine unrest: Protesters in stand-off over EU deal
(about 1 hour later)
Hundreds of protesters are camped out in Ukraine's capital, Kiev, preparing for fresh demonstrations demanding that President Viktor Yanukovych step down. Demonstrators are blockading Ukrainian government buildings in Kiev, as they prepare for fresh protests demanding the resignation of the government.
Many spent the night in Independence Square while other activists were barricaded inside city hall. Hundreds of activists spent the night in Independence Square while others were barricaded inside city hall.
The unrest was triggered days ago by President Yanukovych's refusal to sign a deal on closer EU ties. The unrest was triggered in November by President Viktor Yanukovych's refusal to sign a deal on closer EU ties.
Parliamentary speaker Vlodymyr Rybak said talks between the government and the opposition would be held on Monday.Parliamentary speaker Vlodymyr Rybak said talks between the government and the opposition would be held on Monday.
He said all sides would have an opportunity to express their opinions.He said all sides would have an opportunity to express their opinions.
Protesters stormed city hall on Sunday while a huge anti-government rally was taking place in the capital. About 1,000 protesters camped out on Independence Square overnight, as activists prepare for round-the-clock demonstrations.
Among them is Russian opposition activist Pyotr Verzilov - husband of jailed Pussy Riot member Nadezhda Tolokonnikova - who told the BBC that several hundred activists from Kiev and other parts of Ukraine were inside the building. The protesters are blocking off the government's main headquarters. Opposition leaders have called for a national strike and fresh street protests.
"Activists have effectively turned the city hall into a sort of headquarters for the protests," he said. On Sunday between 100,000 and 500,000 took part in a march, defying a ban on rallies.
Between 100,000 and 500,000 took part in Sunday's rally, defying a ban imposed the day before. There were clashes near the presidential building, with demonstrators firing flares and riot police using tear gas, batons and stun grenades.
There were also clashes near the presidential building on Sunday. Some protesters stormed the city hall. One of them is the Russian opposition activist Pyotr Verzilov - husband of Pussy Riot punk group member Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, who is in jail in Russia.
Masked demonstrators firing flares were driven back by riot police using tear gas, batons and stun grenades. He told the BBC: "Activists have effectively turned the city hall into a sort of headquarters for the protests."
Dozens of protesters were injured and Kiev police said about 100 officers were wounded.
One group of protesters commandeered a bulldozer to try to break through police lines near President Yanukovych's headquarters.
Opposition leaders have called for a national strike and street protests to demand that the government resign.
Picket plannedPicket planned
Meanwhile, tents have been put up in Independence Square as protesters prepare for round-the-clock demonstrations. On Sunday Mr Rybak told Ukrainian TV: "I, as the head of the Supreme Council, guarantee that literally tomorrow such a round table will take place and all representatives in this process will have an opportunity to express their opinions."
"I, as the head of the Supreme Council, guarantee that literally tomorrow such a round table will take place and all representatives in this process will have an opportunity to express their opinions," Mr Rybak told Ukrainian TV.
The parliament speaker said President Yanukovych was "on the side of the people who are fully entitled to assemble for peaceful demonstrations and to express their views".The parliament speaker said President Yanukovych was "on the side of the people who are fully entitled to assemble for peaceful demonstrations and to express their views".
The leader of the opposition Fatherland party, Arseny Yatsenyuk, said the plan for Monday was to picket a meeting of the cabinet. He said a no-confidence motion had been submitted to parliament.The leader of the opposition Fatherland party, Arseny Yatsenyuk, said the plan for Monday was to picket a meeting of the cabinet. He said a no-confidence motion had been submitted to parliament.
At city hall, members of the nationalist Svoboda party occupied the building and held meetings, Reuters reported.At city hall, members of the nationalist Svoboda party occupied the building and held meetings, Reuters reported.
The protesters chanted "Kiev is ours" and hung a Ukrainian flag in the window.The protesters chanted "Kiev is ours" and hung a Ukrainian flag in the window.
Opposition leader Vitali Klitschko - a former world boxing champion - urged supporters not to give up control of central Kiev overnight.Opposition leader Vitali Klitschko - a former world boxing champion - urged supporters not to give up control of central Kiev overnight.
"We must mobilise everyone across the country and not lose the initiative," he said."We must mobilise everyone across the country and not lose the initiative," he said.
Protests started more than a week ago after President Yanukovych suspended preparations for signing an EU association agreement that would have opened borders to goods and set the stage for an easing of travel restrictions.Protests started more than a week ago after President Yanukovych suspended preparations for signing an EU association agreement that would have opened borders to goods and set the stage for an easing of travel restrictions.
Mr Yanukovych argued that Ukraine could not afford to sacrifice trade with Russia, which opposed the deal. The deal was to be the centrepiece of a EU meeting in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius last week.
President Yanukovych defended his refusal to sign by saying the EU was not offering adequate financial aid to upgrade Ukraine's economy.
He also argued that Ukraine could not afford to sacrifice trade with Russia, which opposed the agreement.