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Ukraine's capital Kiev gripped by huge pro-EU demonstration Ukraine's capital Kiev gripped by huge pro-EU demonstration
(35 minutes later)
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.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.
Protest leaders have given President Viktor Yanukovych 48 hours to dismiss the government. They are setting up barricades outside the PM's offices. Protesters, who oppose closer connections with Russia, toppled a statue of Vladimir Lenin.
Mr Yanukovych has said he shelved the EU deal after Russian opposition. President Viktor Yanukovych has said he shelved the EU deal after Russian opposition.
President Vladimir Putin has urged Kiev to join a Russian-led customs union.President Vladimir Putin has urged Kiev to join a Russian-led customs union.
Protest leaders have given President Yanukovych 48 hours to dismiss the government. They are setting up barricades outside the PM's offices.
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".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.It did not name the politicians.
Energy dispute Amid rising tensions, the European Commission said EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton would travel to Ukraine this week "to support a way out of the political crisis".
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. 'A razor's edge'
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.
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.
Pipelines passing through Ukraine also pump Russian gas to many EU member states.
'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.
Waving EU and Ukrainian flags, protesters on Sunday 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".
"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. "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.
"Don't give in, not a step back, don't give up, the future of Ukraine is in your hands," the message read."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."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". 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.
A smaller pro-government rally was held close to the opposition march. Police separated the rival protesters.A smaller pro-government rally was held close to the opposition march. Police separated the rival protesters.
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, on Saturday.
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.
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.
Pipelines passing through Ukraine also pump Russian gas to many EU member states.
"Any signature to a deal on forming a new Soviet Union means the breakup of the country," said Arseniy Yatsenyuk, a prominent opposition member.
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