Ukraine Protesters Defiant As Police Threaten Measures

Pro-European demonstrators block the entrance to a government building in Kyiv on December 5.

A tense political standoff in Ukraine continues, with pro-European protesters vowing to continue their blockade of government buildings, and authorities warning of a crackdown.

Kyiv police chief Valery Mazan threatened his forces would act if protesters defy a court order to stop blockading government buildings by December 9.

Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, meanwhile, has accused some protesters of being "Nazis" and "extremists," while Deputy Prime Minister Serhiy Arbuzov rejected the opposition's demand for early elections.

Many foreign ministers of Western countries have voiced support for the protesters during a meeting in Kyiv of the Organization for Security and Cooperation In Europe.

The protesters are demanding the ouster of the government after President Viktor Yanukovych, under pressure from Russia, abandoned plans to sign a trade and association deal with the European Union.


Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP