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-25298481

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Ukraine protesters maintain blockade in central Kiev Ukraine protesters in tense stand-off in central Kiev
(about 3 hours later)
Thousands of protesters have spent the night in freezing cold in the centre of the Ukrainian capital Kiev, after Sunday's huge anti-government rally. Ukrainian riot police are taking up positions near Kiev's City Hall, where thousands of anti-government protesters have massed.
A group of protesters smashed the city's statue of the Russian revolutionary leader Lenin, and brought its dismembered parts as trophies to Independence Square. More police are being bussed in, the BBC's Steve Rosenberg says, with priests urging them not to use force.
The protesters want close ties with the EU, not a customs union with Russia. The tense stand-off follows weeks of demonstrations after a government U-turn on a free trade deal with the EU.
They have erected barricades outside the main government building. President Viktor Yanukovych said a short while ago he would hold talks involving the opposition on Tuesday.
The protesters have demanded the resignation of President Viktor Yanukovych's government and elections for the presidency and government. A statement on the president's website said Mr Yanukovych would hold talks with three of his predecessors on Tuesday to try to find a compromise.
They condemned Mr Yanukovych for refusing to sign an association agreement with the EU last month. He said he shelved it because it would put trade with Russia at risk. The protesters have given Mr Yanukovych 48 hours to dismiss the government and are demanding new elections for the presidency and government.
They have condemned Mr Yanukovych for refusing to sign an association agreement with the EU last month. He said he shelved it because it would put trade with Russia at risk.
'Show restraint'
Protesters are blockading government buildings with cars, barricades and tents.
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton will be in Ukraine on Tuesday and Wednesday "to support a way out of the political crisis".
President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, said in a statement that he had spoken to Mr Yanukovych over the telephone and asked him "to show restraint".
He said he had asked him "to not use force against the people that are demonstrating peacefully, to respect fully the freedoms that are so important for all of us in Europe".
Baroness Ashton will hold talks with government officials, opposition activists and civil society groups.
The Commission says the EU's offer of an association agreement with Ukraine remains on the table, provided Ukraine meets the conditions - and they cannot be renegotiated.
One key condition is the release of opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko, jailed in 2011 over a controversial gas contract with Russia.
Soviet symbol smashed
Hundreds of thousands of people took part in Sunday's protest - the biggest so far in nearly three weeks of opposition demonstrations in Kiev.Hundreds of thousands of people took part in Sunday's protest - the biggest so far in nearly three weeks of opposition demonstrations in Kiev.
They are the biggest street protests in Ukraine since the 2004 Orange Revolution, which swept pro-Western leaders to power, though Mr Yanukovych made a comeback in 2010. During the evening, a group of protesters smashed the city's statue of the Russian revolutionary leader Lenin, and brought its dismembered parts as trophies to Independence Square.
On Monday a column of 20 police buses and trucks headed towards the capital from Vasylkiv, 20km (12 miles) south of the city, Ukraine's 5 Kanal TV reported.
When the Lenin statue - a symbol of the old Soviet Union - was pulled down on Sunday evening, the crowd shouted "Freedom!" and sang the Ukrainian national anthem.
The statue stood at the top of Shevchenko Boulevard, and was toppled with metal bars and ropes, then smashed up with hammers. No arrests were reported in the incident.The statue stood at the top of Shevchenko Boulevard, and was toppled with metal bars and ropes, then smashed up with hammers. No arrests were reported in the incident.
'Coup plot' These are the biggest street protests in Ukraine since the 2004 Orange Revolution, which swept pro-Western leaders to power, though Mr Yanukovych made a comeback in 2010.
Many of the protesters suspect Russia's President Vladimir Putin of trying to model a new Russian-led customs union on the Soviet Union. So far only Belarus and Kazakhstan have joined it.Many of the protesters suspect Russia's President Vladimir Putin of trying to model a new Russian-led customs union on the Soviet Union. So far only Belarus and Kazakhstan have joined it.
The party of Ms Tymoshenko, a former prime minister, has urged people to "chase" the president "until he falls".
Meanwhile 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.Meanwhile 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.
Protest leaders have given President Yanukovych 48 hours to dismiss the government.
Protesters are blockading key government buildings with cars, barricades and tents.
The BBC's David Stern says the attack on the statue has heightened tension in Kiev.
The European Commission has said EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton will travel to Ukraine this week "to support a way out of the political crisis".
The opposition party of jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has urged people to "chase" the president "until he falls".
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