Ukraine president backs talks as protesters block government offices
December 9, 2013 -- Updated 1950 GMT (0350 HKT)
A protester shouts behind riot policemen standing guard in Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine, on Monday, December 9. Ukrainians occupied the square to denounce President Viktor Yanukovich's recent tilt away from Europe and towards Russia, as protests continued for a third week.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Ukraine president supports proposal by a predecessor for "nationwide panel discussion"
- Police take up positions around central square
- Lenin statue toppled Sunday, pounded with hammers
- Kiev suspended talks with the European Union last month
Kiev, Ukraine (CNN) -- After weeks of mass protests over his U-turn away from the European Union, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich backed a call for talks involving the opposition to work out a compromise, his website said Monday.
With pressure growing as thousands remained on the streets of Kiev, the website said Leonid Kravchuk -- Ukraine's first post-Soviet president, who served from 1991 to 1994 -- had proposed a "nationwide panel discussion" in which government and opposition representatives would take part.
Yanukovich "supported the given initiative. According to him, such panel discussion can become a platform for understanding," according to the presidential website.
He will hold talks with three of his predecessors Tuesday, it added.
As the statement was issued, riot police took up positions around Kiev's central Independence Square. Ukraine's opposition party says police stormed the office of imprisoned former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko to take some computers. The police are denying any involvement.
Protesters in Kiev faced off with lines of Interior Ministry troops Monday evening near the presidential administration building. Minor scuffles broke out, but demonstrators were holding their ground as security forces began removing barricades.
All day Monday demonstrators were out in force in the snow, waving flags and chanting. Many were packed into the central Independence Square, now transformed into a tent village, sustained by donations.
Others barricaded the Cabinet's headquarters and other key public buildings, erecting tents and parking cars on roads in the government district.
"They have cut traffic off, they are continuing to protest around the government buildings," said Kiev resident Sergey Vysotsky, 24. "They are continuing the so-called government blockade."
On Sunday, about 100,000 protesters poured onto the streets of the capital to pile pressure on Yanukovich, calling for the resignation of his government and early elections. A group toppled a statue of Vladimir Lenin, with some pounding the monument with hammers, leaving pieces scattered on the ground.
Burning tires to stay warm
Faced with freezing temperatures as the bitter cold sets in, the protesters burned tires and sipped hot soup and tea to stay warm.
Some played soccer or strummed guitars as they camp out in tents. The crowds often swell in the evenings as people leave work and join the rallies.
As more police gathered on the streets, the demonstrators received a message of support from actor George Clooney.
"We here in the United States have great affinity for those seeking democracy," Clooney said in a video posted online.
"We learned through trial and error that true democracy cannot exist without a free and fair and honest election."
The actor, who has lent his voice to campaigns for various issues in the past, added: "Let me just say this to all of you in the square in Kiev or all around Ukraine: When you look to the West, know that we are looking back at you with great admiration."
Populist movement
The protests began when Kiev refused a deal with the European Union, opting instead for closer ties with neighbor Russia.
It has grown into a populist movement, the biggest the Eastern European country has seen since the so-called Orange Revolution toppled the government nine years ago.
"The government and opposition should hold talks to solve this. It has gone too far, it might result in conflict," Vysotsky said. "We do not want a conflict."
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton would travel to Kiev on Tuesday to try to "bring some solutions to the very tense situation that Ukraine is living today."
Speaking at a conference in Milan, Italy, Barroso said he had spoken with Yanukovich by phone Sunday.
"I asked him to show restraint in the face of these recent developments, 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," he said.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called Yanukovich on Sunday and told the Ukrainian President that he had "grave concern" about the situation, urging authorities not to resort to violence. Yanukovich told the U.N. chief that "consultations would be initiated to defuse the situation," the United Nations said.
East vs. West
The protesters say an EU agreement would have opened borders to trade and set the stage for modernization and inclusion. They accuse Yanukovich, who met Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, of preparing to take the country into a Moscow-led customs union.
The tensions tugging at the country are felt across the nation -- Ukraine is split between pro-European regions in the west of the country and a more Russia-oriented east.
One of the main reasons for Yanukovich's decision to backpedal on the EU talks is Russia's threat of trade sanctions and gas bill hikes. Yanukovich was also under pressure by the EU to free Tymoshenko, his jailed chief political opponent.
The Orange Revolution that swept him from office in 2004, when he was Prime Minister, also swept Tymoshenko to power.
Tymoshenko was sentenced to seven years in prison in 2011 after being convicted of abuse of authority over a natural gas deal negotiated with Russia in 2009. The United States and Europe see the punishment as politically motivated.
Many of the protesters have carried her picture in Independence Square during the rallies.
Police said they were investigating but did not know who had toppled the Lenin statue. Ukraine's government news agency said a lawmaker with the nationalist Svoboda party claimed responsibility.
"This is the end of Soviet occupation," the party's Twitter account said. "End of (the) regime of shame and humiliation."
Journalist Victoria Butenko reported from Kiev and CNN's Marie-Louise Gumuchian reported and wrote from London.
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