Kyiv protesters block ministries

Opposition leaders distance selves from violence in Kyiv

Opposition leaders in Ukraine have distanced themselves from an alleged attempt by protesters to break through police lines near Viktor Yanukovich’s presidential headquarters.

“We know that the president wants to … declare a state of emergency in the country,” former economy minister Arseny Yatsenyuk told journalists

People climb up onto a gate near the presidential administration building in Kyiv
People climb up onto a gate near the presidential administration building in Kyiv Credit: REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

A group of protesters reportedly used a tractor to try to break through police lines near the headquarters, eyewitnesses said, while Interior ministry forces used tear gas to disperse the group.

Protesters try to break through police lines near the presidential administration building
Protesters try to break through police lines near the presidential administration building Credit: REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov

Earlier, an estimated 350,000 people gathered in the city’s ‘Independence Square’ in a rally in favour of greater EU integration.

Crowds of supporters of EU integration listen to opposition leader Vitaly Klitschko in central Kyiv
Crowds of supporters of EU integration listen to opposition leader Vitaly Klitschko in central Kyiv Credit: REUTERS/Gleb Garanich
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