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Ukraine: Deadly clashes around parliament in Kiev Ukraine: Deadly clashes around parliament in Kiev
(35 minutes later)
Violent clashes have erupted between protesters and police in Ukraine's capital, Kiev, with at least seven people reported killed.Violent clashes have erupted between protesters and police in Ukraine's capital, Kiev, with at least seven people reported killed.
In the worst violence in weeks, police used rubber bullets and stun grenades to stop thousands of stone-throwing protesters marching on parliament.In the worst violence in weeks, police used rubber bullets and stun grenades to stop thousands of stone-throwing protesters marching on parliament.
Security forces have given protesters a deadline of 18:00 (16:00 GMT) to end the unrest or face police action.Security forces have given protesters a deadline of 18:00 (16:00 GMT) to end the unrest or face police action.
The clashes came as MPs were due to debate changes to the constitution.The clashes came as MPs were due to debate changes to the constitution.
The proposals would restore the 2004 constitution and curb the powers of President Viktor Yanukovych, but the opposition say they were blocked from submitting their draft.The proposals would restore the 2004 constitution and curb the powers of President Viktor Yanukovych, but the opposition say they were blocked from submitting their draft.
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said she was "deeply worried" by the escalation of violence, and urged politicians to "address the root causes".
"Political leaders must now assume their shared responsibility to rebuild trust and create the conditions for an effective solution to the political crisis," she said.
Russia blamed the upsurge in violence on "connivance by Western politicians and European structures" and their refusal to consider the "aggressive actions of radical forces".
Smoke bombsSmoke bombs
Ukraine's unrest began in November, when Mr Yanukovych rejected a deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia.Ukraine's unrest began in November, when Mr Yanukovych rejected a deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia.
The unrest subsided after protesters left official buildings they had been occupying and the government granted them an amnesty.The unrest subsided after protesters left official buildings they had been occupying and the government granted them an amnesty.
But protest camps remain on the streets and the opposition, which insists the president must resign, had warned the government risked inflaming tensions if it failed to act.But protest camps remain on the streets and the opposition, which insists the president must resign, had warned the government risked inflaming tensions if it failed to act.
On Tuesday, tens of thousands of protesters tried to march on the parliament building but were blocked by lines of police vehicles.On Tuesday, tens of thousands of protesters tried to march on the parliament building but were blocked by lines of police vehicles.
Some ripped up cobblestones to throw at police, and others threw smoke bombs. Police responded with stun and smoke grenades, and rubber bullets.Some ripped up cobblestones to throw at police, and others threw smoke bombs. Police responded with stun and smoke grenades, and rubber bullets.
Protesters also attacked the headquarters of President Yanukovych's Party of the Regions, temporarily smashing their way in before being forced out by police.Protesters also attacked the headquarters of President Yanukovych's Party of the Regions, temporarily smashing their way in before being forced out by police.
Emergency officials said one person - believed to be an employee - was found dead inside the burned-out offices.Emergency officials said one person - believed to be an employee - was found dead inside the burned-out offices.
The bodies of three protesters were inside a building close to parliament. A number of medical workers operating in opposition field hospitals gave the same number of dead.The bodies of three protesters were inside a building close to parliament. A number of medical workers operating in opposition field hospitals gave the same number of dead.
Another three bodies were seen lying in the street.Another three bodies were seen lying in the street.
Dozens of protesters and security personnel are reported to have been injured.Dozens of protesters and security personnel are reported to have been injured.
The heads of the security services and internal affairs ministry have given the protesters a deadline of 18:00 to put an end to the clashes, warning they will then "use all the possible methods" to end it.The heads of the security services and internal affairs ministry have given the protesters a deadline of 18:00 to put an end to the clashes, warning they will then "use all the possible methods" to end it.
Police have also converged on the edges of Independence Square, the site of the main protest camp since November. The entire Kiev metro has been shut down.Police have also converged on the edges of Independence Square, the site of the main protest camp since November. The entire Kiev metro has been shut down.
Earlier on Tuesday, there were scuffles in parliament as the opposition tried to submit a draft resolution on reinstating the 2004 constitution.Earlier on Tuesday, there were scuffles in parliament as the opposition tried to submit a draft resolution on reinstating the 2004 constitution.
Opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk said the move was being blocked by President Yanukovych, saying his party members "show no desire whatsoever to end the political crisis".Opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk said the move was being blocked by President Yanukovych, saying his party members "show no desire whatsoever to end the political crisis".
The changes would mean President Yanukovych losing some of the powers he has gained since his election in 2010, including the power to appoint the prime minister and most cabinet members. They could also lead to snap presidential elections.The changes would mean President Yanukovych losing some of the powers he has gained since his election in 2010, including the power to appoint the prime minister and most cabinet members. They could also lead to snap presidential elections.
MPs who support the president say the proposals have not been thoroughly discussed, and that more time is needed.MPs who support the president say the proposals have not been thoroughly discussed, and that more time is needed.
The speaker of parliament, Volodymyr Rybak, said opposition leaders would meet the president on Wednesday morning for talks.
'Connivance''Connivance'
Russia's foreign ministry said the latest violence was a "direct result of connivance by Western politicians and European structures that have shut their eyes... on the aggressive actions of radical forces", reported Reuters news agency.
Both the EU and Russia have accused each other of interfering in Ukraine's affairs.
In a separate development, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said Moscow would provide Ukraine with a new $2bn (£1.2bn) tranche of loans this week.In a separate development, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said Moscow would provide Ukraine with a new $2bn (£1.2bn) tranche of loans 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 loan until a new government acceptable to Moscow was formed after Ukrainian PM Mykola Azarov resigned last month.The Kremlin had hinted it would freeze the loan until a new government acceptable to Moscow was formed after Ukrainian PM Mykola Azarov resigned last month.
Germany's Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier urged all sides to "seek a political solution through talks".
"A return to violence in Ukraine is certainly not a way to reach a settlement and a good future for the country," he said, after a phone call with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara.
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