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Protesters clash with riot policemen outside the Ukrainian President's office in Kyiv.
Protesters clash with riot policemen outside the Ukrainian President's office in Kyiv.

Live Blog: Protests In Ukraine

Opposition leaders have called for massive protests and a general strike to challenge Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's decision not to sign an Association Agreement with the European Union.

Wednesday -- Barring major events, we will be providing more limited updates on the live blog today.

Long term protest strategy appears to be setting in. Protesters marching to various government buildings, including the central bank and the prosecutor general's office. In Independence Square, meanwhile, the barricades are continuing to grow and thousands still remain.

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Tuesday wrap-up (final post for the evening)

-- Early in the day, the Ukrainian parliament voted against holding a vote of no confidence in the government. They needed 226 votes, but only came up with 186.

-- Angry crowds chanted "shame" outside the parliament. By late afternoon, Independence Square had swelled to at least 10,000 protesters again and the leaders of the three main opposition parties led a crowd of thousands to the presidential administration building. Most, including the opposition leaders returned to Independence Square.

-- Ukrainian Prime Minister Azarov, who survived a potential no-confidence vote this morning, apologized for violence against protesters, but also harshly condemned the continuing demonstrations and the occupation of government buildings. He said the actions are "unconstitutional" and "illegal."

-- Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has arrived in China to begin a three day visit, which will be followed by a trip to Russia. Still, he has promised he remains committed to EU integration.

-- Until late November, Yanukovych had said he intended to sign a pact with Europe, but backed out after pressure from Moscow. He also refused to allow former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko to leave prison for medical care in Germany -- a key European demand.

-- The encampment in Independence Square remains, with barricades meant to protect it from riot police continuing to grow and crowds of protesters camping out overnight. The city administration building and the trade union building are still occupied.

Glenn Kates

22:33 4.12.2013
17:04 4.12.2013
Marching to the General Prosecutor's Office, about an hour ago. Protesters have been seen at government buildings throughout the city today.

17:00 4.12.2013

16:15 4.12.2013
Vitali Kltischko made a surprise appearance at the Party of Regions rally in Kyiv today. He asks a women if she had seen the injuries suffered by protesters at the hands of police on television and then, trying to make her sympathize, asks if she has her own children. She doesn't.

Most of the Party of Regions' protesters are less interested in Klitschko's political views though, than getting their pictures taken with him.


15:44 4.12.2013
Via our Ukrainian Service, first aid training inside the occupied city administration building.

15:12 4.12.2013
Several of the people who were allegedly involved in violence during December 30 protests by the presidential administration building are in a Kyiv court. A large gathering of protesters has gathered outside. A livestream from outside the courthouse, via our Ukrainian service, is available here.

14:36 4.12.2013
A brief morning update, via social media.




The tweet says, "This is not a contemporary art exhibition, this is a revolution."







Party of Regions gathering in the Russia-friendly Eastern city of Donetsk.


The Klitschko brothers have begun posting selifes.

14:31 4.12.2013
Wednesday -- Baring major events, we will be providing only limited updates on the live blog today.

Tuesday wrap-up (final post for the evening)

-- Early in the day, the Ukrainian parliament voted against holding a vote of no confidence in the government. They needed 226 votes, but only came up with 186.

-- Angry crowds chanted "shame" outside the parliament. By late afternoon, Independence Square had swelled to at least 10,000 protesters again and the leaders of the three main opposition parties led a crowd of thousands to the presidential administration building. Most, including the opposition leaders returned to Independence Square.

-- Ukrainian Prime Minister Azarov, who survived a potential no-confidence vote this morning, apologized for violence against protesters, but also harshly condemned the continuing demonstrations and the occupation of government buildings. He said the actions are "unconstitutional" and "illegal."

-- Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has arrived in China to begin a three day visit, which will be followed by a trip to Russia. Still, he has promised he remains committed to EU integration.

-- Until late November, Yanukovych had said he intended to sign a pact with Europe, but backed out after pressure from Moscow. He also refused to allow former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko to leave prison for medical care in Germany -- a key European demand.

-- The encampment in Independence Square remains, with barricades meant to protect it from riot police continuing to grow and crowds of protesters camping out overnight. The city administration building and the trade union building are still occupied.

Glenn Kates
22:37 3.12.2013
Via Daisy Sindelar:

More dissent among the ranks. According to the "Leviy Bereg" news site -- which was filing updates on Facebook following its lv.ua site crash -- Party of Regions deputy and Yanukovych ally Hanna Herman minced few words while discussing the failure of Ukraine's education minister, Dmytro Tabachnyk, to subdue student protesters. Speaking on ICTV, she said: "If Ukraine had a normal education minister, one who had the respect of the people, then he would have gone out and explained to the students why the EU agreement wasn't signed. And then relations would have been different. But really, could Tabachnik ever go out to the people? They'll spit on him."
22:27 3.12.2013
Tom Balmforth describes the scene inside the city administration building, which includes volunteer doctors, political party paraphernalia and lots of tea.

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