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Kiev riot police retreat after storming protest bastions Kiev riot police retreat after storming protest bastions
(about 1 hour later)
Hundreds of anti-government protesters inside city hall in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, have pushed back riot police trying to dislodge them. Police have abandoned an attempt to dislodge anti-government protesters from their strongholds in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev.
Clashes erupted hours after riot police moved in to clear protesters from nearby Independence Square - prompting the US to express "disgust". Clashes erupted at the occupied city hall hours after riot police tried to clear nearby Independence Square - prompting the US to express "disgust".
The interior minister has now given assurances no force will be used.The interior minister has now given assurances no force will be used.
The protests were sparked by the government's refusal to sign a deal on closer ties with the European Union.The protests were sparked by the government's refusal to sign a deal on closer ties with the European Union.
The U-turn followed pressure from Russia, which has said Ukraine's free trade deal with the EU will flood the Russian market. The U-turn followed pressure from Russia, which has said Ukraine's free trade deal with the EU would flood the Russian market.
Prime Minister Mykola Azarov on Wednesday said Ukraine wanted 20bn euros ($28bn; £17bn) in aid from the EU in return for signing the agreement.
Human wallsHuman walls
Police have now withdrawn from city hall following their abortive attempt to oust occupying protesters, said the BBC's David Stern at the scene. Police withdrew from city hall following an abortive attempt to oust occupying protesters, said the BBC's David Stern at the scene.
Protesters used hoses to fire icy water at the police, said reports, and events were carried live on local television.Protesters used hoses to fire icy water at the police, said reports, and events were carried live on local television.
Protesters also announced that the police had pulled back from the main camp in Independence Square, which they moved on in the early hours of Wednesday. Police then pulled back from the main camp in Independence Square, which they moved on in the early hours of Wednesday.
"I want everyone to calm down," said Interior Minister Vitali Zakharchenko in a statement."I want everyone to calm down," said Interior Minister Vitali Zakharchenko in a statement.
"There will be no storming of the square. No one will violate your rights to protest peacefully, but do not ignore the rights... of other citizens.""There will be no storming of the square. No one will violate your rights to protest peacefully, but do not ignore the rights... of other citizens."
Overnight, riot police and interior ministry officers had dismantled some barriers and tents, with police saying they were trying to free up a passage through the square for traffic.Overnight, riot police and interior ministry officers had dismantled some barriers and tents, with police saying they were trying to free up a passage through the square for traffic.
Protesters in hard hats locked arms to form human walls to try to resist the police push. At least nine people were detained.Protesters in hard hats locked arms to form human walls to try to resist the police push. At least nine people were detained.
There were some reports of police using violence - with the KyivPost saying it had witnessed police clubbing protesters.There were some reports of police using violence - with the KyivPost saying it had witnessed police clubbing protesters.
There were calls for restraint from priests intoning prayers and pop singer Ruslana - urging "Do not hurt us!" - on a stage in the square. More people flooded into the square in response to pleas for solidarity, and are still streaming into the square. There were calls for restraint from priests, intoning prayers, and pop singer Ruslana - urging "Do not hurt us!" - on a stage in the square. More people flooded into the square in response to pleas for solidarity, and are still streaming into the square.
Opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk said President Viktor Yanukovych "has spat in the face of America, EU countries and 46 millions of Ukrainians and we will not forgive that".Opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk said President Viktor Yanukovych "has spat in the face of America, EU countries and 46 millions of Ukrainians and we will not forgive that".
He demanded the president's resignation.He demanded the president's resignation.
US Secretary of State John Kerry condemned the authorities' move on the protests.US Secretary of State John Kerry condemned the authorities' move on the protests.
"The United States expresses its disgust with the decision of Ukrainian authorities to meet the peaceful protest in Kiev's Maidan Square with riot police, bulldozers, and batons, rather than with respect for democratic rights and human dignity," he said."The United States expresses its disgust with the decision of Ukrainian authorities to meet the peaceful protest in Kiev's Maidan Square with riot police, bulldozers, and batons, rather than with respect for democratic rights and human dignity," he said.
"This response is neither acceptable nor does it befit a democracy.""This response is neither acceptable nor does it befit a democracy."
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton is also in Kiev, and held talks with President Viktor Yanukovych on Tuesday. EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton is also in Kiev, and held talks with President Yanukovych on Tuesday.
Baroness Ashton, who was cheered by crowds when she visited Kiev's main protest site on Tuesday, said she was saddened that police had later used force to try to remove protesters.Baroness Ashton, who was cheered by crowds when she visited Kiev's main protest site on Tuesday, said she was saddened that police had later used force to try to remove protesters.
US Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland is also in Kiev, and expected to hold talks with President Yanukovych. US Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland is also in Kiev, and is expected to hold talks with President Yanukovych.
Interfax news agency reported that Ms Nuland had visited Independence Square on Wednesday morning, handing out bread, biscuits and buns from a plastic bag. Ms Nuland visited Independence Square on Wednesday morning, handing out bread, biscuits and buns from a plastic bag and talking to protesters
President Yanukovych said on Monday that government officials could visit Brussels this week to resume talks on the EU association agreement.President Yanukovych said on Monday that government officials could visit Brussels this week to resume talks on the EU association agreement.
His statement came after hundreds of thousands of protesters turned out in Kiev on Sunday, demanding the resignation of the government within 48 hours.His statement came after hundreds of thousands of protesters turned out in Kiev on Sunday, demanding the resignation of the government within 48 hours.
Government buildings were blockaded with cars, barricades and tents.Government buildings were blockaded with cars, barricades and tents.