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Clashes as Ukraine opposition presses for parliament vote Clashes as Ukraine opposition presses for parliament vote
(about 1 hour later)
Stone-throwing protesters have clashed with police in central Kiev amid tensions over proposed changes to the constitution.Stone-throwing protesters have clashed with police in central Kiev amid tensions over proposed changes to the constitution.
Police fired rubber bullets and smoke grenades as thousands of protesters gathered near parliament. Thousands of protesters attacked the ruling-party headquarters and tried to march on parliament, reports said.
Tumultuous scenes have also been reported inside the building where opposition MPs are pushing for a vote on replacing the constitution. Tumultuous scenes have also been reported inside parliament where opposition MPs are pushing for a vote on replacing the constitution.
The move is aimed at curbing President Viktor Yanukovych's powers.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. The opposition 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". 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 a loan from Russia.
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.
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.
'Doors locked''Doors locked'
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.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. Some are ripping up cobblestones to throw at police, and others are throwing smoke bombs, while police are responding with stun and smoke grenades and rubber bullets.
Several people have been injured, Ukraine's 5 Kanal TV reported. Protesters also attacked the headquarters of President Yanukovych's ruling party.
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. Several people have been injured, both protesters and police officers, local media reported.
Inside parliament, reported Interfax-Ukraine news agency, about 50 opposition MPs blocked the parliamentary rostrum in protest after parliamentary staff refused to register their resolution on reinstating 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."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 appoint 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.
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. 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.
The Kremlin had hinted it would freeze the aid until a new government acceptable to Moscow was formed after Ukrainian PM Mykola Azarov resigned last month.
On Monday, an amnesty for anti-government protesters in Ukraine came into force after demonstrators ended their occupation of government buildings in Kiev and in the regions.
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 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.