This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25290959

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Ukraine's capital Kiev gripped by huge pro-EU demonstration Ukraine's capital Kiev gripped by huge pro-EU demonstration
(about 1 hour later)
Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets in the Ukrainian capital seeking the resignation of the government which refused to sign a deal on closer ties with the European Union. Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets in the Ukrainian capital Kiev seeking the resignation of the government for refusing a deal on closer ties with the European Union.
The protests, the latest in three weeks of unrest, come a day after talks between President Viktor Yanukovych and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Protest leaders have given President Viktor Yanukovych 48 hours to dismiss the government. They are setting up barricades outside the PM's offices.
Mr Yanukovych has said he shelved the EU deal after Russian opposition.Mr Yanukovych has said he shelved the EU deal after Russian opposition.
Mr Putin has been urging Ukraine to join a Russian customs union. President Vladimir Putin has urged Kiev to join a Russian-led customs union.
Both sides denied that the issue of Kiev joining the customs union with Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan came up during the Putin-Yanukovych meeting in Sochi, in southern Russia. In another development on Sunday, the Ukrainian Security Service said it was investigating some politicians on suspicion of what it called "actions aimed at seizing state power".
It did not name the politicians.
Energy dispute
Both Russia and Ukraine denied that the issue of Kiev joining the customs union along with Belarus and Kazakhstan came up during the Putin-Yanukovych meeting in Sochi, in southern Russia.
Correspondents had earlier speculated that an agreement on Ukraine joining the customs union might be reached in return for reduced energy prices.Correspondents had earlier speculated that an agreement on Ukraine joining the customs union might be reached in return for reduced energy prices.
The two neighbours have also been trying to resolve a long-running dispute over energy supplies.The two neighbours have also been trying to resolve a long-running dispute over energy supplies.
Ukraine depends on imports of Russian gas, but the supplier, Gazprom, has recently complained that Kiev had fallen behind in payments.Ukraine depends on imports of Russian gas, but the supplier, Gazprom, has recently complained that Kiev had fallen behind in payments.
Disputes over supplies to Ukraine before 2009 saw Gazprom temporarily cutting off supplies.Disputes over supplies to Ukraine before 2009 saw Gazprom temporarily cutting off supplies.
Pipelines passing through Ukraine also pump Russian gas to many EU member states.Pipelines passing through Ukraine also pump Russian gas to many EU member states.
Three conditions 'Revolution of dignity'
"Any signature to a deal on forming a new Soviet Union means the breakup of the country," said Arseniy Yatsenyuk, a prominent opposition member."Any signature to a deal on forming a new Soviet Union means the breakup of the country," said Arseniy Yatsenyuk, a prominent opposition member.
Waving EU and Ukrainian flags, the protesters congregated on Kiev's Independence Square - the scene of previous clashes with police. Waving EU and Ukrainian flags, protesters on Sunday congregated on Kiev's Independence Square - the scene of previous clashes with police.
Ukraine's special police force, Berkut, has been widely condemned for beating protesters in the square - known as Maidan.Ukraine's special police force, Berkut, has been widely condemned for beating protesters in the square - known as Maidan.
The opposition party of jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has urged people to "chase" the president "until he falls".The opposition party of jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has urged people to "chase" the president "until he falls".
An opposition MP says the movement has given President Yanukovych 48 hours to sack the government and arrest his interior minister. "We are on a razor's edge between a final plunge into cruel dictatorship and a return home to the European community," Mrs Tymoshenko said in a message to the crowd read out by her daughter.
Serhiy Pashynskyy also said that "starting from today and until our demands are met, the government quarter will be blocked with protest rallies". "Don't give in, not a step back, don't give up, the future of Ukraine is in your hands," the message read.
Another opposition leader, Oleh Tyahnybok, said: "It's not just a simple revolution. It's a revolution of dignity."
Opposition MP Serhiy Pashynskyy said that "starting from today and until our demands are met, the government quarter will be blocked with protest rallies".
The protests are the largest since the pro-democracy Orange Revolution in 2004.The protests are the largest since the pro-democracy Orange Revolution in 2004.
Protest leaders have set out three conditions for any negotiations with President Yanukovych: the resignation of his government, the release of protesters arrested during clashes in Kiev and the punishment of those responsible for beating demonstrators. A smaller pro-government rally was held close to the opposition march. Police separated the rival protesters.
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.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions