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| Ukraine president warns Kiev protesters amid clashes | Ukraine president warns Kiev protesters amid clashes |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Clashes are continuing between police and anti-government protesters in the Ukrainian capital Kiev - prompting the president to warn that the violence is a threat to the whole country. | Clashes are continuing between police and anti-government protesters in the Ukrainian capital Kiev - prompting the president to warn that the violence is a threat to the whole country. |
| A burnt-out line of buses and trucks in central Kiev marks the boundary between protesters and police. | A burnt-out line of buses and trucks in central Kiev marks the boundary between protesters and police. |
| Clashes erupted on Sunday, after many more demonstrators rallied peacefully against President Viktor Yanukovych. | Clashes erupted on Sunday, after many more demonstrators rallied peacefully against President Viktor Yanukovych. |
| The authorities say police have the right to use firearms in self-defence. | The authorities say police have the right to use firearms in self-defence. |
| In a statement on Monday evening, President Yanukovych said that "now, when peaceful actions are turning into mass unrest, accompanied by riots and arson attacks, the use of violence, I am convinced that such phenomena are a threat not only to Kiev but to the whole of Ukraine". | In a statement on Monday evening, President Yanukovych said that "now, when peaceful actions are turning into mass unrest, accompanied by riots and arson attacks, the use of violence, I am convinced that such phenomena are a threat not only to Kiev but to the whole of Ukraine". |
| Arrests | Arrests |
| Last week the president's supporters in the Ukrainian parliament gave police extra powers to tackle demonstrators. | |
| At least 20 people have been arrested in the clashes, and about 100 injured, including dozens of police officers. | At least 20 people have been arrested in the clashes, and about 100 injured, including dozens of police officers. |
| The violence followed weeks of mainly peaceful action against Kiev's decision to spurn a political agreement with the EU, and then to toughen anti-protest laws. | The violence followed weeks of mainly peaceful action against Kiev's decision to spurn a political agreement with the EU, and then to toughen anti-protest laws. |
| President Yanukovych says he is now ready to negotiate with pro-EU protesters and opposition leaders. | President Yanukovych says he is now ready to negotiate with pro-EU protesters and opposition leaders. |
| He said a cross-party commission would be set up on Monday to try to resolve the deepening crisis. Opposition leaders confirmed this, but there were few other details. | He said a cross-party commission would be set up on Monday to try to resolve the deepening crisis. Opposition leaders confirmed this, but there were few other details. |
| On the road leading from Europe Square to parliament, riot police were still standing behind shields on Monday, lined up against dozens of protesters who had camped out overnight despite temperatures dropping well below freezing. | On the road leading from Europe Square to parliament, riot police were still standing behind shields on Monday, lined up against dozens of protesters who had camped out overnight despite temperatures dropping well below freezing. |
| The BBC's Daniel Sandford, at the scene, says some protesters hurled cobblestones and petrol bombs at police, while supporters banged on lamp posts and oil drums. | The BBC's Daniel Sandford, at the scene, says some protesters hurled cobblestones and petrol bombs at police, while supporters banged on lamp posts and oil drums. |
| The police are firing plastic bullets, tear gas canisters and stun grenades, and even throwing back the cobblestones, he reports. | The police are firing plastic bullets, tear gas canisters and stun grenades, and even throwing back the cobblestones, he reports. |
| In Brussels, EU foreign ministers condemned the violence, blaming the authorities for cracking down on protesters. | In Brussels, EU foreign ministers condemned the violence, blaming the authorities for cracking down on protesters. |
| "I absolutely deplore the violence that occurred," British Foreign Secretary William Hague said, calling it "a mistake" for the government to have introduced restrictions on protest. | "I absolutely deplore the violence that occurred," British Foreign Secretary William Hague said, calling it "a mistake" for the government to have introduced restrictions on protest. |
| But he said "we welcome" the government's apparent willingness to talk to the opposition. | But he said "we welcome" the government's apparent willingness to talk to the opposition. |
| Meanwhile, Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt called the government's curbs "the most solid package of repressive laws that I have seen enacted by a European parliament in decades". | Meanwhile, Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt called the government's curbs "the most solid package of repressive laws that I have seen enacted by a European parliament in decades". |
| The measures, which were hastily voted through on Thursday, include: | The measures, which were hastily voted through on Thursday, include: |
| The governing party of President Yanukovych says the legislation is in line with European standards. | The governing party of President Yanukovych says the legislation is in line with European standards. |
| Late on Sunday, Mr Yanukovych's press office said a "working group" headed by National Security and Defence Secretary Andriy Kluyev would be set up. | Late on Sunday, Mr Yanukovych's press office said a "working group" headed by National Security and Defence Secretary Andriy Kluyev would be set up. |
| Both the government and opposition leaders appeared to blame a small group of protesters - reportedly far-right activists - for starting the violence on Sunday. | Both the government and opposition leaders appeared to blame a small group of protesters - reportedly far-right activists - for starting the violence on Sunday. |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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