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The Ukrainian President is facing intense diplomatic pressure from both East and West after the European Union finally agreed on sanctions to try to stop the bloodshed in Independence Square, even as Moscow implied Kiev should take a heavier hand with protesters.
At stake is the political and economic future of the nation of 46 million people, which is becoming increasingly cleaved between the largely pro-Russian east, which backs President Viktor Yanukovych, and those who want to bring down his government and forge closer ties with the EU.
The conflict has sent relations between Brussels and Moscow to their lowest level since the 2008 war between Russia and Georgia, and as the death toll mounted there was little sign of common ground.
A chorus of outrage from EU leaders at the fresh violence in Kiev culminated with an agreement to impose travel bans and assets freezes on those responsible for the bloodshed. EU nations will also be banned from exporting equipment that could be used for repression.
In pictures: Ukraine uprisingShow all 100 1 /100In pictures: Ukraine uprising In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine People light candles during a religious service at a church in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine A child lights a candle on a makeshift memorial to anti-government protesters killed in the past weeks' clashes with riot police on Kiev's Independence Square
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Newly freed Ukrainian opposition icon Yulia Tymoshenko speaks at Independence Square moments after parliament voted to hold early presidential elections in May. Tymoshenko received a rapturous welcome on Independence Square. 'You are heroes, you are the best of Ukraine' she told the 50,000-strong crowd before breaking down in tears
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine People visit the Independence square in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine People walk by barrycades and makeshift memorials to the victims of the riots in central Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine People lay flowers on the Independence Square in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Maidan self-defence activists stand on an armored vehicle in central Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine People gather for prayers and to listen to speakers in Independence Square
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine A woman with a Ukrainian flag wrapped around her sholders looks on as she lights a candle at a makeshift memorial to anti-government protesters killed in the past weeks' clashes with riot police
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine The body of Ustim Holodnyuk (19) who was killed in fighting between anti-government protesters and police, is carried from Independence Square in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine An anti-government protester injured during clashes with riot police receives medical care at a makeshift hospital in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Protestors build a barricade at the Independent square in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Anti-government protesters shout 'Glory to the Ukraine' as they man a barricade at Independence Square in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine An anti-government demonstrator holds a burning tire as he build a barricade at the Independent square in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine An anti-government demonstrator builds a barricade with burning tires at the Independent square in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine An anti-government demonstrator throws a burning tire as he build a barricade at the Independent square in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Anti-government protesters carry an injured man on a stretcher after clashes with riot police in the Independence Square in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Protesters cheer while they managed to break police blockade in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Anti-government protesters take cover while under fire from police snipers during clashes with riot police in central Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Protesters hold petrol bombs during clashes with police in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Anti-government protesters carry an injured man on a stretcher after clashes with riot police in the Independence Square in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Protesters walk on a puddle of blood left by a wounded demonstrator during clashes with the police in the center of Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine An anti-government protester holds a firearm as he mans a barricade on the outskirts of Independence Square in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine An Otrthodox priest gestures after clashes between anti-government protesters and riot police in the Independence Square in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine An elderly protester smokes during a break in clashes with police in central Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine A protestor carries food for demonstrators on the barricades during the face off against heavily-armed police in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine An anti-government protester reacts following clashes with riot police in Independence Square in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Two anti-government protesters use a large drum after violence erupted in the Independence Square in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine A man plays the trumpet as anti-government protesters continue to clash with police in Independence square in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Riot police fire at anti government demonstrators on the Independence square in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Anti government demonstrators carry a wounded comrade during clashes with riot police on the Independence square in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine A protester shouts slogans as he stands behind barricades during clashes with police in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine A protester throws a petrol bomb as he stands behind barricades during clashes with police in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Ukraine's embattled leader announced a 'truce' with the opposition as he prepared to get grilled by visiting EU diplomats over clashes that killed 26 and left the government facing diplomatic isolation
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Protesters burn as they stand behind burning barricades during clashes with police in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Anti-government protesters continue to clash with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine A protester sits on a statue while others stand on a barricade during clashes with police in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Protesters carry a wounded protester during clashes with police, after gaining new positions near the Independence square in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Protester carries bottles during the clashes with police in Independence square in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Protesters walk and stand near a burning bus at the Institutskaya Street close to the central Independence Square in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Protesters stand behind burning barricades during a face-off against police in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Protesters escort a 'captured' policeman near Independence square in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Violent clashes erupted in Kiev following renewed anti-government protests, with the death toll rising to 25
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine An anti-government protesters prays in Independence Square in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Anti-government protester throws Molotov cocktail at the police in Independence Square in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Injured anti-government protester at the Independence Square in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Anti-government protesters in Independence Square in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Anti-government protesters carry a roundwood as they gather in Independence Square in central Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine An anti-government protester looks on as smoke from a fire rises above Independence Square in central Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Protesters at the Independence Square in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Ukrainian protesters poured on to a central Kiev square to confront police anew after the bloodiest day since the former Soviet republic, caught in a geopolitical struggle between Russia and the West, won its independence
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Interior Ministry officers walk in formation as smoke rises above Independence Square where anti-government protesters are holding a rally in central Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Smoke rises above Independence Square as clashes between anti-government protesters with Interior Ministry members and riot police continue in central Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine A trade union building is seen on fire in Independence Square in central Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Interior Ministry members and riot police block a street as anti-government protesters gather in front of them amidst heavy smoke during clashes in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Ukrainian riot police take cover behind their shields during clashes with anti-government protesters near Independence Square in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Ukrainian riot police stand in front of the fire ring around of the Independence Square during the continuing protest in downtown Kiev
EPA
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Flames engulfed the main anti-government protest camp on Independence Square as riot police
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Anti-government protesters clash with the police during their storming of Independence Square in Kiev
Sergei Supinsky/AFP/Getty Images
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Anti-government protesters clash with the police during their storming of Independence Square in Kiev. Flames engulfed the main anti-government protest camp on Kiev's Independence Square on Tuesday as riot police tried to force demonstrators out following the bloodiest clashes in three months of protests
Genya Savilov/AFP/Getty Images
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Monuments to Kiev's founders burn as anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Kiev's Independence Square
Efrem Lukatsky/AP
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Riot police storm Kiev's Independence Square
Efrem Lukatsky/AP
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Riot police storm Kiev's Independence Square, the epicenter of the country's current unrest
Efrem Lukatsky/AP
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Kiev's Independence Square
Efrem Lukatsky/AP
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine An anti-government protester runs during clashes with riot police in Kiev's Independence Square
Efrem Lukatsky/AP
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Kiev's Independence Square, the epicenter of the country's current unrest
Efrem Lukatsky/AP
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Ukrainians gather on the Independence Square during continuing protest in Kiev; smoke is visible in the sky, above the city
Igor Kovalenko/EPA
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Smoke from exploding fireworks and fires billows into the night sky as Ukrainians gather on the Independence Square during continuing protest in Kiev
Igor Kovalenko/EPA
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Police clash with anti-government protesters in Kiev. Police on Tuesday began an assault on the main anti-government protest camp in Kiev after a day of bloody clashes, AFP journalists at the scene said
Anatolii Boiko/AFP/Getty Images
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Anti-government demonstrators stand on barricades during clashes with riot police in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine An opposition demonstrator holds a Molotov cocktail during clashes with police in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Injured anti-government protesters look on a policeman during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Wounded people walk after clashes with riot police in central Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Anti-government female protesters help an injured comrade during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Injured anti-government protesters during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Anti-government protesters carry a wounded man during clashes with riot police in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Opposition demonstrators evacuate a wounded protester during clashes with police in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Red Cross workers give first aid to policemen wounded during clashes with anti-government protester in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine An injured anti-government protester lies on the ground during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Interior ministry members take cover behind shields during clashes with anti-government protesters in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Opposition demonstrators stand in front of burning barricades during clashes with police in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Anti-government protesters clash with police in front of the Ukrainian Parliment in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine A protester holds a makeshft shield in front of a burning car during clashes with police in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Anti-government protesters shield themselves during clashes with riot police in central Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Interior Ministry members are on fire, caused by molotov cocktails hurled by anti-government protesters, as they stand guard during clashes in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Protesters clash with riot police as a rainbow appears during continuing protests in downtown Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Anti-government protesters clashed violently with police in central Kiev, a day after Moscow moved to cement its influence over Ukraine with $2 billion in cash to shore up the former Soviet state's heavily indebted economy
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine People speak near a barricade on fire during clashes between anti-government protesters and Interior Ministry members in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Two wounded policemen are guided to the ambulance cars during an anti-government protest in downtown Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Protesters take over the main office of the ruling Ukrainian 'Party of Regions' political party in downtown Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Anti-government protesters attempt to break a door inside an office of the pro-presidential Party of the Regions in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine A protester inside the main office of the ruling Ukrainian Party of Regions political party in downtown Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine An anti-government protester dressed in Ukrainian national dress throws a stone during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Anti-government protesters gather by the entrance as they attack an office of the pro-presidential Party of the Regions in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine A young anti-government protester looks on during clashes with police in front of the Ukrainian Parliment in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine An anti-government protester wears a gas mask during clashes with Interior Ministry members in Kiev. Several thousand anti-government protesters clashed with police near Ukraine's parliament torching vehicles and hurling stones in the worst violence to rock the capital Kiev in more than three weeks
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Thousands of angry anti-government protesters clashed with police in a new eruption of violence following new maneuvering by Russia and the European Union to gain influence over this former Soviet republic
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine An anti-government protester threatens riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine Protesters marched toward the parliament to demand constitutional reforms that would curb the powers of President Viktor Yanukovych. Ukraine has been mired in political crisis since November 2013 after the government backed away from a trade agreement with the European Union and signed a 15-billion-dollar loan deal with Russia instead
In pictures: Ukraine uprising Ukraine At least five anti-government protesters were killed and some 150 others injured in fresh clashes between police and demonstrators protesting near Ukraine's parliament building in Kiev
“It is a strong signal of how unacceptable this is,” said the British Foreign Secretary, William Hague, after a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels. “It is unacceptable in any European city and [the sanctions] are a signal of the EU’s determination to do something about this.”
The Foreign Office had earlier summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to condemn the “shocking violence”. The White House also put out a statement saying it was “outraged by images of Ukrainian security forces firing automatic weapons on their own people”.
Washington has already imposed travel bans on 20 Ukrainian officials, although it has not revealed the names of those targeted. EU diplomats said they have yet to draw up the names of those affected by their sanctions.
The Kremlin has called such measures “blackmail”, but Russia’s leaders were also piling the pressure on Mr Yanukovych. Russia’s Prime Minister, Dmitry Medvedev, gave the clearest signal yet that the first $2bn tranche of a $15bn loan agreed for Ukraine could be suspended until order is restored.
“We will try to fulfil all our promises that we made… at the same time for this to happen it is necessary for our partners themselves to be in good shape and for the authorities in Ukraine to be legitimate and effective,” Mr Medvedev said, adding that Russia could deal only with “a leadership which people aren’t wiping their feet on like a doormat”.
The human cost of efforts to regain control became clear as the bodies of dozens of protesters mounted up in Kiev’s Independence Square. Health officials said that up to 39 people were killed during the day, taking the death toll this week to 67.
Not far from the makeshift morgues and medical centres in hotels and churches, the foreign ministers of Germany, Poland and France held five hours of talks with Mr Yanukovych to hammer out some sort of political solution.
For the first time, they had the concrete threat of sanctions to use as a lever with the President. Protesters have long been calling for punitive measures, but the EU had until now favoured incentives and compromise. A harder stance emerged after dozens of people were killed on Tuesday as police moved in to evict protesters from Independence Square.
The European ministers went to Mr Yanukovych with a proposal to form an interim government to oversee political transition. Mr Yanukovych is understood to have told the envoys that he is willing to hold early elections.
Protesters have been camped out in the main square in Kiev since late November, when Mr Yanukovych abruptly pulled out of a long-planned trade agreement with the EU. He decided instead to pursue stronger ties with Russia, which had offered $15bn in aid while also threatening retaliatory measures if Kiev forged a path towards Europe.
The U-turn shocked many people in Ukraine, with outrage especially acute in the western cities where the population had hoped that more integration with the EU would bring economic stability and help establish a gradual end to corruption and the hold powerful oligarchs had on government.
The fallout also hit competition at the Winter Olympics in the Russian city of Sochi where the Ukrainian skier, Bogdana Matsotska, pulled out in protest at the killings.
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