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Ukraine crisis: Opposition seeks constitution change vote Clashes as Ukraine opposition presses for parliament vote
(about 2 hours later)
Ukraine's opposition is to push for a vote in parliament on changes to the constitution - a move aimed at curbing President Viktor Yanukovych's powers. Stone-throwing protesters have clashed with police in central Kiev amid tensions over proposed changes to the constitution.
The opposition has repeatedly warned that failure to act will further inflame mass anti-government protests. Police fired rubber bullets and smoke grenades as thousands of protesters gathered near parliament.
A protest rally is also expected outside the parliament building in the capital Kiev. Tumultuous scenes have also been reported inside the building where opposition MPs are pushing for a vote on replacing the constitution.
Pro-presidential MPs - who have a majority - have opposed attempts to return to the 2004 constitution. The move is aimed at curbing President Viktor Yanukovych's powers.
It has repeatedly warned that failure to act will further inflame mass anti-government protests.
In a separate development, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said Moscow would provide Ukraine with a new $2bn (£1.2bn) tranche of aid "this week".In a separate development, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said Moscow would provide Ukraine with a new $2bn (£1.2bn) tranche of aid "this week".
In December, Moscow pledged $15bn to back Ukraine's struggling economy, but so far only $3bn has been transferred.In December, Moscow pledged $15bn to back Ukraine's struggling economy, but so far only $3bn has been transferred.
The Kremlin had hinted it would freeze the aid until a new government acceptable to Moscow was formed after Ukraine's PM Mykola Azarov resigned last month.The Kremlin had hinted it would freeze the aid until a new government acceptable to Moscow was formed after Ukraine's PM Mykola Azarov resigned last month.
Ukraine's unrest began in November, when Mr Yanukovych backed away from an association and free trade deal with the European Union, and instead agreed to the loan with Russia. Ukraine's unrest began in November, when Mr Yanukovych backed away from an association and free trade deal with the European Union, and instead agreed to the loan from Russia.
Moscow wants Ukraine to join the Russia-led customs union, where Belarus and Kazakhstan are also members.Moscow wants Ukraine to join the Russia-led customs union, where Belarus and Kazakhstan are also members.
Both the EU and Russia have accused each other of interfering in Ukraine's affairs.Both the EU and Russia have accused each other of interfering in Ukraine's affairs.
Snap election demand 'Doors locked'
Ukraine's MPs are due to begin their parliamentary session at 10:00 local time (08:00 GMT). Tens of thousands of protesters trying to march on the parliament building have been blocked by lines of police vehicles, according to reports from Kiev.
Some are ripping up cobblestones to throw at police, while police are responding with stun and smoke grenades and rubber bullets.
Several people have been injured, Ukraine's 5 Kanal TV reported.
Inside parliament, reported Interfax-Ukraine news agency, about 50 opposition MPs gathered around the parliamentary rostrum in protest at the refusal of parliament staff to register their resolution on the reinstatement of the 2004 constitution.
"Our deputies have just returned from the draft law registration section. They have just simply locked the doors there on the instructions of [Speaker Volodymyr] Rybak and are refusing even to talk to Ukrainian people's deputies, let alone register the resolution," opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk was quoted as saying.
The opposition has been pushing for weeks for a return to the 2004 constitution, which would mean President Yanukovych losing some of the powers he has gained since his election in 2010.The opposition has been pushing for weeks for a return to the 2004 constitution, which would mean President Yanukovych losing some of the powers he has gained since his election in 2010.
The changes would mean that parliament - not the president - would be appointing the prime minister and most cabinet members as well as regional governors. The changes would mean that parliament - not the president - would appoint the prime minister and most cabinet members as well as regional governors.
The move could also lead to snap presidential elections - a key demand of the opposition.The move could also lead to snap presidential elections - a key demand of the opposition.
MPs who support the president have argued that different proposals on how to return to the previous constitution legitimately have not been thoroughly discussed, and more time is needed to iron out all the differences between the two sides.MPs who support the president have argued that different proposals on how to return to the previous constitution legitimately have not been thoroughly discussed, and more time is needed to iron out all the differences between the two sides.
Meanwhile, anti-government protesters are planning to march on parliament to demand the constitutional changes be implemented.
The parliament and key government buildings have been guarded by riot police , and there are fears that clashes may erupt later on Tuesday.
Amnesty deal
On Monday, an amnesty for anti-government protesters in Ukraine came into force after protesters had ended their occupation of government buildings in Kiev and in the regions.On Monday, an amnesty for anti-government protesters in Ukraine came into force after protesters had ended their occupation of government buildings in Kiev and in the regions.
The prosecutor's website said criminal charges would be dropped after the opposition had left Kiev city hall and other locations.
Protesters had held some of the buildings for more than two months.Protesters had held some of the buildings for more than two months.
But a sprawling tent city - widely known as Maidan - remains in Kiev's central square, where some denounced the decision to end the occupations. But a sprawling tent city remains in Kiev's central square, where some denounced the decision to end the occupations.
The protesters also partially dismantled barricades on Hrushevskyy Street, which was the scene of deadly clashes earlier this year.
On Friday, authorities freed the last of 243 prisoners who were arrested during the unrest.
The opposition is now pressing for all pending criminal cases to be closed - the authorities say this will be done within a month.
MPs passed the amnesty law last month and agreed to negotiate with the opposition after at least four people were killed in protests.