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Ukraine crisis: President blames opposition for deadly clashes Ukraine crisis: Renewed Kiev assault on protesters
(about 1 hour later)
Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych has blamed opposition leaders for the latest upsurge of violence in Kiev, which has left 25 people dead. Police in the Ukrainian capital Kiev have launched a fresh attack on anti-government protesters as the death toll in renewed clashes has climbed to 25.
After failed overnight talks with the opposition, Mr Yanukovych urged its leaders to "distance themselves from radical forces", saying it was "not too late to stop the conflict". The new attempt to uproot the protest stronghold came as President Yanukovych blamed opposition leaders for the worst violence in months of unrest.
Riot police are continuing to storm the main anti-government protest camp. After failed overnight talks, he urged them to distance themselves from radical forces.
Activists blamed the authorities for the worst violence in months of unrest. Activists say the violence has been stoked by the authorities.
The protests began in late November, when President Yanukovych rejected a landmark association and trade deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia. Police launched their latest assault on Independence Square, also known as the Maidan, shortly after 04:00 local time (02:00 GMT). Several tents were set ablaze, and water cannon was later used.
A BBC correspondent said police had taken control of a corner of the square for the first time since December.
The protests began in late November, when President Viktor Yanukovych rejected a landmark association and trade deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia.
Tensions had begun to subside as recently as Monday, as protesters ended their occupation of government buildings in return for an amnesty against prosecution.Tensions had begun to subside as recently as Monday, as protesters ended their occupation of government buildings in return for an amnesty against prosecution.
But violence erupted outside parliament on Tuesday morning as government supporters blocked opposition attempts to scale back the president's constitutional powers.But violence erupted outside parliament on Tuesday morning as government supporters blocked opposition attempts to scale back the president's constitutional powers.
The clashes spread to surrounding streets and police launched an attack on Independence Square - known as the Maidan. The clashes spread to surrounding streets and police launched a first attack on Independence Square on Tuesday evening.
In a statement, the health ministry said on Wednesday the number of dead on both sides had risen to 25. Nine of those killed were police, the interior ministry says. A journalist has also died.In a statement, the health ministry said on Wednesday the number of dead on both sides had risen to 25. Nine of those killed were police, the interior ministry says. A journalist has also died.
Hundreds of people have been treated in hospital for injuries and there are fears the number of deaths could rise still further.Hundreds of people have been treated in hospital for injuries and there are fears the number of deaths could rise still further.
The latest assault on the square began shortly after 04:00 local time, when police tried to move on the protesters' tents. Several were set ablaze, and water cannon was later used.
Explosions are taking place, fireworks are being thrown and large fires can been seen.Explosions are taking place, fireworks are being thrown and large fires can been seen.
But the protesters appear to have been able to hold their defence lines, burning tyres on the barricades.But the protesters appear to have been able to hold their defence lines, burning tyres on the barricades.
Thousands of policemen have been surrounding the Maidan since Tuesday, although reports saying that many anti-government activists are heading to join the camp. Thousands of policemen have been surrounding the Maidan since Tuesday, although reports suggest that many anti-government activists are heading to join the camp.
'Island of freedom''Island of freedom'
In a statement on Wednesday morning, President Yanukovych said: "The opposition leaders have disregarded the principle of democracy according to which one obtains power not on the streets or maidans - but through elections."In a statement on Wednesday morning, President Yanukovych said: "The opposition leaders have disregarded the principle of democracy according to which one obtains power not on the streets or maidans - but through elections."
"They have crossed the line by calling for people to take up arms," he said, warning that those responsible for violence would face the law."They have crossed the line by calling for people to take up arms," he said, warning that those responsible for violence would face the law.
But the president added that there was a "better and more effective way" to solve the crisis - through dialogue and compromise.But the president added that there was a "better and more effective way" to solve the crisis - through dialogue and compromise.
"It is not too late to stop the conflict," he said."It is not too late to stop the conflict," he said.
Security forces had given the protesters a deadline of 18:00 on Tuesday (16:00 GMT) to leave the square, the scene of a mostly peaceful protest camp since November.Security forces had given the protesters a deadline of 18:00 on Tuesday (16:00 GMT) to leave the square, the scene of a mostly peaceful protest camp since November.
When the deadline expired, riot police advanced with an armoured vehicle, dismantling barricades and firing stun grenades and water cannon.When the deadline expired, riot police advanced with an armoured vehicle, dismantling barricades and firing stun grenades and water cannon.
Protesters have been resisting, throwing missiles from behind piles of burning tyres.Protesters have been resisting, throwing missiles from behind piles of burning tyres.
In speeches from the main stage through the night, protest leaders urged people already on the Maidan to stand firm, and called on Ukrainians elsewhere to come to the square.In speeches from the main stage through the night, protest leaders urged people already on the Maidan to stand firm, and called on Ukrainians elsewhere to come to the square.
"This is an island of freedom and we will defend it," said Vitaly Klitschko, the leader of the Udar (Punch) party."This is an island of freedom and we will defend it," said Vitaly Klitschko, the leader of the Udar (Punch) party.
Arseniy Yatsenyuk, who heads the Fatherland party, appealed to President Yanukovych to "stop the bloodshed and call a truce".Arseniy Yatsenyuk, who heads the Fatherland party, appealed to President Yanukovych to "stop the bloodshed and call a truce".
Earlier on Tuesday, police blocked protesters from marching on parliament, where MPs had been due to debate proposed changes to the constitution.Earlier on Tuesday, police blocked protesters from marching on parliament, where MPs had been due to debate proposed changes to the constitution.
The debate did not take place. Mr Yatsenyuk said President Yanukovych was blocking the reforms and that his allies "show no desire whatsoever to end the political crisis".The debate did not take place. Mr Yatsenyuk said President Yanukovych was blocking the reforms and that his allies "show no desire whatsoever to end the political crisis".
But MPs who support the president said the proposals had not been thoroughly discussed, and that more time was needed.But MPs who support the president said the proposals had not been thoroughly discussed, and that more time was needed.
Some protesters outside parliament ripped up cobblestones to throw at police. Police fired stun and smoke grenades as well as rubber bullets. Correspondents say it was unclear what sparked the latest violence, with each side blaming the other.Some protesters outside parliament ripped up cobblestones to throw at police. Police fired stun and smoke grenades as well as rubber bullets. Correspondents say it was unclear what sparked the latest violence, with each side blaming the other.
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