if viktor yanukovych obey the american or european demand. sign an graemed he doesn't receive anything except $1 billion that i promised for him. he pass relations to russia. he increased duties, closer borders with ukraine and losses. they consider 160 billion of dollar, of euro even. there's something about 200 billion of dollars. you know, they were ready to accept european offer, but he asked them to compensate all this losses, economical losses that we will - somehow cower, with stand. to give a good standard of the life for his citizens. this is problem. problem is inference from the eastern countries. when the first deputy come and give some bread to demonstrators that looks like spreading the bread. i think it is not acceptable except the way to support independent course. russia is independent with respect to the standard. >> we'll see what happens. it's a heated debate going on both in russia and in the ukraine for the moment though. thank you for joining us from moscow. >> new delhi police removed security barricades outside the am

the followers laid squarely at the feet of the country's president, viktor yanukovych.you can see people remain camped those live pictures of independence square. another massive rallies planned for tomorrow to coincide with a ninkovich -- mr. yanukovych to moscow. our international affairs editor gave us this analysis. my apologies. i'm joined, in fact, by our correspondent in kiev. thank you very much indeed for joining us. we have heard this morning that this call from the ruling party that a reshuffle should be organized. how has the news gone down with those remain camped out in independence square? >> first of all, among the protesters, they absolutely don't think a reshuffle would be enough. they want the resignation of the prime minister and the president and anything short of that will not be enough for them. in terms of reaction from political leaders, i spoke to a spokeswoman from the opposition party, and she seemed rather skeptical about whether the reshuffle what actually happened. she said that one group of mp's one of the reshuffle, but another mp said h

president viktor yanukovych ditching a deal with the e.u. is reliant on russian money for the ukraine's floundering economy. will vladimir putin ride to the rescue, and at what cost to his neighbour. all will be played out in moscow as tens of thousands of protesters remain on the streets of key eve. fears among the people that viktor yanukovych will be forced to sign up to vladimir putin's union to get cheap gas to survive. >> the moscow-led union has three members, russia, kazakhstan and bell awe ruse. it's supposed to evolve into the eurasian economic union, a trade zone that could rival the e.u. in scope and power. it is opposed by the u.s., seep as an attempt to establish a ussr-style union amongst the soviet states. the head of the state newsagencies has an apok lip tick view of the russian system. the west will gain control over the ukrainian market, wealth plundered and n.a.t.o. tanks will stand at moscow's doorstep. scare monningering but they carry currency with russians today. >> the ukraine declared its independence from the old

they want president viktor yanukovych sign a trade deal with the e.u. he favours closer ties with russia. >> rory challands is in ukraine. what is the mood on the street from kiev following that. >> well, ever since that i don't yesterday which the government wop, things stand in a bit of a stalemate. you have viktor yanukovych, who is out of the country, and a government looking reasonably secure for the moment, and you have the protesters on the street, still in the - still in kiev, looking like they'll be here for the long hall. the place where i'm standing - it has a degree of permanans. wood burning stoves have been brought in to keep people warm. there's a big stage where speakers are talking from the stage and music is pumping out. they have brought in portaloos dealing with sanitation. i think people are happy to be here showing their opposition to the government for quite some time. there are two routes out of this. there's the government choosing it will take a forceful stance. doesn't appear to be doing that at the moment, or are there protes

president viktor yanukovych believes he can survive without moscow's help. the protesters are ready for a long fight to achieve their always. >> the opposition leaders lack constitutional power to axe the government. the powerful storm that surged across the country made a mess in the north-east and mid-atlantic statements. in philadelphia white-out conditions were not enough to keep football fans from batching the eagles beat the loings - look at the snow. and a pile-up of 30 wars in wisconsin. rebecca stevenson has more. >> philadelphia international airport reported 8.6 inches of snow. it looked like more in the game against philadelphia and destroyed. a lot of snow heads to the north. it will continue to get snow off and on around the lakes. slowly and surely the snow is coming overnight and will switch over to rain. it first it has to be freezing rain and sleet. there'll be slushy slippery roadways outside. friday through sunday we've had impressive ice accumulations. we had them all the way down to louisiana. north carolina you had many inches. if you

a new government and president. >> viktor yanukovych is facing diplomatic pressure from the e.u. and the u.s. >> all policy option, including sanctioning are on the table. that is still being evaluated. >> ukrainians that want closer ties with the west are back in their thousands on independence square in kiev. they believe they have scored a victory against the police in this government. >> viktor yanukovych is unable to restore his authority. when he last agreed to talks he sent the riot police in. protesters are not taking chances. >> just a few minutes ago i talked to a ukrainian activist. we asked casuarina crook what he is seeing in independence square. >> the latest news is more and more people are gathering. two days ago there was fights with the riot police. trying to attack the barricades. people have protected them, and also we have protected children. it's still occupied by our protesters. now from what i have seen from yesterday, people are more opt mistic. >> what are you trying to accomplish with the protests? >> well, our message has changed a little with the time

this is where president viktor yanukovych grew up.his is his main shower base in the russian-speaking east of the country and where jobs are at threat if free trade with the e.u. ever comes. these construction workers say life for them has had the right mixture of policies since the local boy made it to the top in kiev. >> people here have a normal relationship with the president. they love him. >> the school in the town has been completely rebuilt. the 16-year-old vice president of the student's union proudly showed us their state of the art interactive replacement for the old blackboard. he gave us a tour of the museum set up at the school for its most famous people. he was born into the family of a metalworker and a nurse. it was a troubled childhood. "i came from a poor family. my main dream in life was to break out of poverty." this is the position and classroom where the young viktor yanukovych used to be as a student. i have a history teacher with me. >> translation: i'm in favour of reforms. each step should be thought about.

what are they waiting for viktor yanukovych to say? . >> well, you know, a few minutes ago viktor yanukovych was on the screen in his first public address to the nation sips these protests became widespread. what he said was tuck talking about ukraine's gas description system, a pipeline system that brings gas through ukraine. he was speaking about then but for reasons we don't know why, when a question was asked about the protests, they went back to video of what is happening here at the square. we have seen here today a little bit of progress while opposition - opponents of the government has been blocking parliament over the last couple of days, physically vouching the speaker's seat in parliament. this morning an encouraging sign. opposition mps saying they'll allow parliament to meet to discuss the 2014 budget. opposition leaders saying they want to show the country that the budget is - that there's nothing good in the budget. pro-government members saying it's clear to the opposition that it's clear now they have there 15 billion

president viktor yanukovych is having a series of political meetings later today. are any of these likely to make a tirches? >> well, president viktor yanukovych ways of solution, theoretical ways of solution - conducting negotiations and achieving understanding between different sides. another, just suppress the unrest. the second is not a solution, but the country is too fragile. now it's a good chance when representatives from the united states, from europe arrived. when former ukrainian presidents are ready to meet with the current president. it's logical. the president has to find out a peaceful solution from which we are now >> the fact that you called the country fragile because of the situation it is finding itself in at the moment, what impact will this have on the president's political career, if he moves to the e.u., which he's unlikely to do, he'll alienate russia. at the same time he seems to have alienated thousands in his own country. >> the country is fragile not only because of the situation which is now for a couple of weeks, but because it's a di

calling for viktor yanukovych to resign or call early elections. the calls are unanswered >> translation: we are not here more anything, we are here for the future >> independence square first held demonstrations in november after viktor yanukovych refused a deal with the european union. then the numbers were in the hundreds of thousands. demonstrations waned. the new tactic to tackle ministers and the president. >> the government doesn't listening to people, it only uses force. that's it. they don't want to think that ukraine wants something else. they ignore us. this makes us and people around angry. >> with hundreds of riot police blocking the road to the president's house, the demonstration was peaceful. the question now is what next. the demonstration runs its course and opposition leaders are relying on a civil society movement taking the momentum here and turning it into change in ukraine's cities and regions. >> in an earlier protest thousands gathered in independence square over the beating of a reporter who exposed the lavish live styles

occupied for more than two weeks and of course it's been their symbolic protest against the president, viktor yanukovych, who has produced all this reaction from the authorities. city hall was another area, another location, where they'd occupied and were holding out in protest against his last-minute failure to sign a deal with the european union, and take ukraine closer to moscow. there was hope of negotiation, only 24 hours ago. but suddenly at night, the riot police swamped this area, and moved in, taking down the barricades and pushing the protestors back to the central part of the square. my colleague, robin forester walker has the story of the night's events. >> everyone had been expecting it, confrontation. revolutionary center of kiev, government unable to save face. government militants stormed the blockades. it seemed like a battle to reclaim the square held by the opposition for more than a fortnight. progress was slow. it took them three hours for hundreds of police to break the lines but the real objective to dismantle the elaborate blockade of wood and steel. the purpose has be

until today, he had ruled out any talks with the president, instilled -- instead demanding that viktor yanukovych step down. now he is taking a different approach. >> on stage, three opposition leaders present a united front. from the fatherland party of the imprisoned prime minister, and the heavyweight boxing champion who now leads a party. they announced their decision to help -- to attend roundtable talks held by viktor yanukovych, the first sign of compromise after weeks of road test. the main opposition demand is that the government resign. a first meeting between the two sides yielded little progress. viktor yanukovych did offer amnesty for protesters who were detained when the police tried to clear independence square on december 1. opposition leaders vowed to stick with their core demands. >> they had the chance to sign just two weeks ago. >> the opposition has made little progress towards its ultimate goal, and preparations are being made for the next mass rally this weekend. >> for the very latest from central kiev, let's bring in our correspondent. there has been no progres

i know better and you will make you free the ukrainian often led by president viktor yanukovych scroll down to the eu trade pact last month. talks between yanukovich and all the things you need is to fail to break that don't want to bid on this one on the side of ghana can fix this one and says he's dependent on it the families of the woods. on suspending talks on the eu trade deal last month. ukraine's government said it would be refocusing on dresser instead and the next few days could see this let's translate into action as our correspondent reports. the president can tape it will visit moscow in tuesday to discuss joining the customs union of russian federation catholics don on a date the ukrainian opposition will open up a m at st granted independence class to teach that the ukraine must join. giving youth pm. across town from the mass rally several thousand demonstrators gap against a pole to ukrainian president viktor yanukovych bates summit travel to kiev from across ukraine may need to give rise to greater integration with europe and in favor of building up ties with russia. a

viktor yanukovych has ruled out presidential elections, it's been ruled out until 2015.he ukrainion economy is struggling. it has an $11 billion deficit. there's not been the reforms that are needed to join theion kwon at some point. without the reforms there won't be opportunity. everyone knows reforms are difficult. it's a challenging situation here. the way forward is not going to be simply even with the russian bailout money. ukraine's economy is in bad shape, and has the same underlying problems that caused the deficit. >> thank you. jennifer glass live in kiev. >> now an estimated 10 million roma people live in europe. many are poor and face discrimination. in greece recent unfounded allegations about child abductions made it tougher. one group is fighting back through education. >> this man wants his grandchildren to grow up middle class. they share the dream. one wants to be a policeman, the other teacher. >> here in the greek town the roma live segregated. that segregation begins in this elementary school, built to keep them out of site. more than 500 are enroll

that's after viktor yanukovych suspended a trade deal with the e.u. that would have increased trade and opened borders. tens of thousands in ukraine protested against the decision. many accused viktor yanukovych of bending to pressure from russia to pass on the deal >> missing, bob levinson vanished in iran in 2007. reports from that he was on a business trip. the associated press reported in the with "the washington post" that he was an agent for the c.i.a. randall pinkston has more. >> it's almost seven years since bob levinson disappeared whilst in iran. he's the lodgest-held hostage in history. his family received a video. >> i'm not in perfect health. i have been treated well. i'm running out of diabetes medicine. i need the help of the united states government. >> in the past three years there's nothing to confirm that he's still alive. he was on a business trip to an iranian island. associated press is reporting that bob levinson was in iran on an unapproved mission for the c.i.a. when asked secretary of state john kerry wouldn't confirm that h

president viktor yanukovych offered direct talks with political parties. >> translation: i'm calling on representatives of all physical forces, reverend parties, civil societies to a dialogue. i'm ready to take part in a roundtable to reach a compromise. i'm calling on the opposition to refuse, not to go along the path of a stand-off alt mags. >> the leaders are skeptical. they want nothing short of a resolution - a new government and new resolution. the pressure from the e.u. and u.s. is coming. >> all policy options are on the table, in our view. obviously that is being evaluated. >> ukrainians who want closer ties with the west are back in their thousands on independence square in kiev. they believe they have scored a victory against the police and the government. >> viktor yanukovych appears unable to restore his authority here. when he last agreed to talks, he sent his riot police in. protesters are not taking chances. >> the house is expected to vote thursday on a bipartisan budget agreement. if passed the it would prevent a government shut down. there are harsh words for conse

they demand that president viktor yanukovych step down. these crowds see their future with the west rather than with the for me it's -- the former soviet power. russian president vladimir putin tried to reassure them. ofwe have always been proud our country, but we do not claim to be some sort of superpower. we have no claim to assert regional or global hegemony. we do not force our values on anyone. we do not teach anyone how to live. >> he also stressed the economic benefits ukraine would enjoy if it joined the union. he promised to reduce gas prices. .rotesters remained defiant everything that has happened is because of russians and putin himself. for 300 years, we were under rock -- under russian occupation. we are fighters. we will fight for our freedom. to signcourage ukraine the pact, brussels offered -- the ukrainerom what is asking for. president yanukovych said he intended to sign the agreement. other eu officials aren't as confident. >> for more, we talk to a professor of political science at kiev university. i would like to ask

. >> people in ukraine want prime minister viktor yanukovych to step down because he favours associated with russia instead of the west. >> opposition leaders who healed sway in kiev for more than two weeks are face to face with forces from the interior ministry. in the snow storm that struck the capital they appealed for calm. >> these are peaceful people without weapons. this is a peace of demonstration. i'm asking each of you before using force or weapons to think, please. you will be responsible for what happens. >> protesters fear the troops may be on the point of seizing back control of the city center. barricades around buildings have been removed. state security on monday even raided the party. computer equipment was seized when the website was shut down. if president viktor yanukovych thinks that through the law enforcement agencies and riot place that that will work, he is mistaken. >> at independence square, they occupied public buildings. they are preparing for a struggle. these are not snowballs, they are made of plaster. there is hope for a peaceful outcome from the crisis

the ukrainian president viktor yanukovych gave the kremlin an extension to the lease on their base until 2042, soon after his election, but got little in return. beijing's money looks set to transform the prospects of the city. the chinese investment will provide a life line for the battered ukraine can economy. $3 billion is being provided to bolster sevastopol's ports. twice that will be used to update crimean. >> trade between europe and china have to travel around the whole of europe. when this port is constructed ships can go straight across the black sea. the ukrainian company is sandwiched between its warships and russias, but has been building a profitable business exporting steel and grain. they've been battling recession in the world market and at home. the commercial director is optimistic about the future, despite the political turmoil in kiev. >> translation: as the grain and coal production grose in the future in you grain, we believe the investment in the port is necessary to match the trend in these sebbing tors. >> president viktor yanukovych has brought home an importan

it has been stolen by viktor yanukovych and your disgraceful party of region. you are splitting the country. >> when it came to the vote, the opposition didn't have the numbers. the government survived the motion of no confidence. amidst the drama president viktor yanukovych left the country on a scheduled trip to china. before going he said he was in favour of the peaceful protests, but everyone should stay calm. even in the capital the president does have his supporters. although not many, judging by the turn-out of this pro-government rally. onstage a retired army officer said no to coups and thanked the police for keeping order in kiev. the bigger crowds are here in independence square, where many protesters return in the evening after the parliament voted. >> the crowds have settled in for another cold night in independence square. what strikes me is the air of permanens. volunteers have brought food and hot drinks, and take a look at the barricades. they have been built up again, and at the very top there are now strands of barbed wire. it would take a ma

the customs union was never signed or discussed. >> president viktor yanukovych will be distrighted with the deal. he got what he wanted without signing the custom led russian document. a decision that will enrage his opponents in kiev, where tens of thousands mass in the streets. >> german chancellor angela merkel says ukraine's fiscal ties with russia should not prevent the country looking to the european union for help also. . >>> well, before i take you to the united states we have been telling you about a snow storm and rain storm hitting the middle east. this is a picture from nasa. you would think these are clouds, but actually those are snowfields. out here in the mediterranean, yes, those are clouds. you can see across lebanon, israel, jordan. that is the areas that have seen the early winter snow. it will take a while for the snow to end. we'll watch this area carefully. across the united states i said we are going to be ending the snow across the north-east. it's now moving out across new hampshire, into maine and by the morning we'll see icy roads. be careful, the temperature

they are in it for the long haul, but if president viktor yanukovych signs up with moscow, that will increase their anger here. >> the interpretations in ukraine were barely mentioned by the russian president in his annual sit of the nation address. peter sharp reports. >> the russian kremlin was said to be working on his state of the nation speech up to half an hour before delivery at the great hall. >> never shy to court international attention, vladimir putin would have been gratified by the forbes magazine voting him the most power of the person in the world. this was a speech addressed to the people of russia and those that exercised power across this great nation. >> no one should have illusions about the possibility of gaining military superiority over russia. >> defense spending is vital in protecting the borders. $700 billion will be spend on defense over the next 10 years. he acknowledged russia's success in avoiding military intervention in syria. >> we acted with confidence and prudence. not once have we put in danger our own interests or security. >> on domestic issues v

they see viktor yanukovych. a criminal, they see him as someone who has taken ukraine and the potential that ukraine has and squandered it. so i think they see that this is his trip to china is essentially in character. that he's walking away from the country at a time where the country is essentially going through a serious crisis. the opposition people down here, the people who have been coming out to independence square say it is proof that the man leading the country is not the man who should be leading the country. >> rory, we'll leave you and that parliamentary session in kiev. >> lebanon's government have put the army in charm of tripoli. 11 have been killed as rifle communities target each other. it's triggered by religious convictions connected to the war in syria. the army will stay in the city for six months. >> rebel fighters have been entered a down north-east of damascus. a town famous for its christian churches, and one of the last places people speak ara make, the language of jesus. rebels took o

after viktor yanukovych refused to sign an agreement with eu for trade agreement. tim friend joins me from kiev. >>> it's a fluid situation and within the last half hour or so the riot police have pulled right back. they've retreated. there's not a van in sight. one of their advance have moved into the square earlier. and you can't really see any evidence of the riot police themselves. and just beneath us here, the protestors have started at least to try to build new barricades. so -- and a number of people in the skill in independence square is actually more than we witne witnessed on tuesday. here's my colleague, robin forester walker with the detail of the events. >> it's been a revolutionary movement for kiev and the government unwilling to lose face. after high level u.s. and eu talks, government stormed barricades. at first it seemed like a battle to reclaim the square, held by the opposition for morn a fortnight. progress was slow. it took more than three hours for hundreds of police to break the lines. >> the whole purpose of this situation has not been to

also have viktor yanukovych traveling to moscow on tuesday. is a possibility he might sign something that would bring ukraine and russia closer together. there are high stakes going on mere. and everyone seems to be gambling quite heavily on what the outcome of this whole situation is going to be. >> rory thank you very much indeed. lets go back to darren. >> thank you. coming up still on the news hour. boats needed to rescue families in gaza. we'll have the latest on the flood emergency. >>> around chile where -- and comail, where the new presiden e the new president is likely to be a woman. >>> and in absorbinger. >>> the party was carrying out a day long general strike in protest at the execution of abdul muller, sentenced for death during bangladesh's war of independence. >>> interim president michelle being djotodia. , without food or basic medical supplies. al jazeera's nazre rvetioreen bs mashmashiri has the story. >> we haven't really found any clear evidence that antibelica is any one group. it is not clear if there are ordinary villa

has no place in a modern european state despite the testicles for him to resign ukraine's president viktor yanukovich has left the country for china as a gesture of confidence that security can be maintained at him. our correspondent in kiev says the ep. among the thousands of protests is it just if you really believe that president and tiana have each been accepted to mom's for a change of government meanwhile the prime minister has already said he's ready to make some changes but he didn't say whoa. if the met live with it. i didn't use pm in terms of relations it's an image that could not come trust more shopping with the scenes of violence that took place in the same area last weekend when men from among the ukrainian anti government protests is paroled hot drinks and snacks as a peace offering to the riot squad we want you to police to understand that the people who are in the square that with expressing nonviolent resistance she said on. i really think and hoped the biscuits and some logistical we can get you to make you feel better. our bidding. the police fired into the weekend whi

ukrainian president viktor chemical which sits down to negotiations with opposition leaders said the government had to mount the tv. welcome to cctv new slide from preaching until we start in the dprk country's leader kim jong un as expected another tree institute for design make and it pays foster appearances since the execution of his once powerful uncle. during his visits to his tears came to mind stressed the importance of construction in using the civilized to socialistic country. he also instructed the institute to play a pioneering rodent riding presidents construction activity in the country to its great to prosperity the inspection is seen as a move to further boost the country's military to visit follows the execution of the state of his uncle comes on top. an aussie on our brief ranged from an explicit mention of china's recent declaration of the maritime at defense identification zone of the east china sea and the joint statement following a summit in tokyo awesome countries reportedly did not want that the ad defense identification zone issue to be included in the final

temperatures thousands of printer you demonstrate is that kept up their demands for ukraine's president viktor yanukovich to resign they appeared to be instead on by the solidarity between guy that supposition eat this kind of bond that snaked out during the weekend scott says the edited photo who we call for the impeachment of the president for the resignation of the government's criminal proceedings against those who raced back and it's against our innocent children. in the field position the desa speaking to smaller crowds than had been seen in kiev city center twenty four hours peaceful yet to buy into account as saying the three of us together would be up to make a difference but one with ten twenty thirty one hundred thousand to one knee and they the government would be up to do anything. ukraine has been plunged into crisis by president kennedy's decision to fold though a free trade deal with europe and the russian pressure while the pro europe demonstrates his continue their occupation of key of c t cold and allies in parliament to pull for offensive no confidence level what they see i

the country's opposition is courting in dublin on friday on tuesday to pressure ukraine's president viktor yanukovich cement on the cross the insolvency sun protected lands at ten am and then stands and children to non stop them. so we actually know it by ourselves and we tend to pretend that i still stand. the machine is on your knees hit the government to bring students up to twenty two to the streets a month ago. since then more will join their ranks protesting the president's decision the milk to find an association agreement with the eu that would demonstrate to cds and bolted to the pressure on prices in yemen. again what else i have this illness interested in the local beaches. don't close and yet at the time and why is it. i don't know about it. russia's it'll go monday is poised to a korean movie with ukraine. i think every teacher in most kitchens degree believed to be seeking something in the rain to ten billion euros to help the country stable economic data the yen to convince his own column in the sickle cells becoming mail to members of the coffee of the money that the govern

ukrainian president viktor yanukovich his decision to reject the offer and pursue closer ties with russia instead continues to divide the country. a pro and anti government supporters held mass rallies in the capital on sunday. do i. tens of thousands of ukrainians once again he did the opposition's call to rally in support of the eu auntie its main square turnout was high even after weeks of protests. to demonstrate his latest target is president of the ditches planned trip to russia on tuesday to sign trade deals the opposition is the kremlin is trying to re establish its own sphere of influence. you are a few modern ukrainians like us must do everything we can now for the sake of our future so that moscow does not walk all over us. we demand that the president not sign any agreement with moscow. that would conflict with our nation's interests. there was a. the fire way to much smaller crowd showed up in support of the cousins posse which is backed by many in ukraine's russian speaking east. the eu has accused russia of engaging in a bidding war the ukraine which needs a cash injection

now ukraine's president viktor yanukovych has met with hootin to discuss strategic ties with russia mr yanik over each made a preplanned detour to sochi for the meeting on his way back from china where he was hoping to secure an aid package for ukraine's economy let's cross live now to artie's paul scott who is in kiev poor what further details to we have about the meeting between the two presidents. well the details of those meetings are that meeting between the two presidents are slowly beginning to emerge now ukraine's under fire president viktor yanukovych stopped off as you say in sochi for a meeting with his russian counterpart on his way back from china now although the exact details of the discussion haven't been divulged it's believed that yana cove it was looking for close economic and trade ties with russia now ukraine's economy is struggling right now the country is heavily in debt and struggling to pay some of its gas bills to russia and it's believed that yanick over it was trying to secure some kind of deal on that front now this will be of little consolation to the prot

the calls for president viktor yanukovich to stand down or getting louder. outside ukraine to fear violence is growing. eu foreign policy chief catherine ashton is travel to kiev to try to mediate between the two camps. the us has also held discussions with opposition leaders united states the remaining european union. i can restore peace. the amended you're up. talks between the us again a cold which are also planned. a cool beach and with three of its predecessors to try and find a solution to the crisis he's also offered to negotiate with the opposition they are skeptical about whether talks with the government can resolve the situation. well wolf these top level talks with western leaders bear fruit or correspond right to hide and joins us now from kiev micah the meeting between these catherine ashton any article which is over now with details about it. we haven't had exactly what they were talking about. it has been no official press statement that the meat saying that catherine ashton made an appearance on minds on monday independence square just behin

well after weeks of stalemate and the number of violent clashes finally a breakthrough president viktor yana coverts has agreed to release all protesters who have been arrested throughout the course of these demonstrations are some could even be released as early as today that's according to the president's misty on a covert is also hinted that ukraine could be ready to sign a new association agreement after rule he said he could be ready to sign it is early as march of brussels and kiev can come to an agreement on a deal that won't harm the ukrainian economy a u.s. officials had earlier said that the deal would remain on the table but it was non-negotiable now there have been no official response from the opposition as of yet it will be interesting to see whether these concessions satiate their demands of course they had a number of other key demands including the resignation of the president the government and a snap election now this all comes as you say on a day of diplomacy in a covert had met with three former u.k. ukrainian presidents to discuss the situation while high profile d

after weeks of stalemate and some violent clashes a possible breakthrough ukrainian president viktor yanukovych has agreed to release all protesters who've been arrested throughout the course of these demonstrations and he's also hinted that he could sign at the e.u. association agreement of the rule he says that he could sign it is early as march of kiev in brussels can strike a deal which doesn't harm the ukrainian economy now e.u. officials had earlier said that the deal does remain on the table but that it was known negotiable was going to be interesting to see what the response from the opposition is to these concessions they have course have a number of key demands which included the resignation of president of the cove each of these governments and a snap election now this all comes on a day of diplomacy in the capital ghana coverts met with three former ukrainian presidents to discuss the situation while high profile diplomats from america and europe are also in kiev the assistant secretary of state victoria nuland and foreign policy chief catherine ashton a meeting represent

diplomatic efforts to find a political solution to the crisis are well and truly underway president viktor yanukovych has held a meeting on tuesday with three former ukrainian presidents now the details of which are yet to fully a mug's but we are hearing that it's possible that there could be a round table discussions with those four presidents and leaders of the opposition however the opposition is saying that they are yet to be invited to any possible talks or there are also reports that one of the ex-president has been quoted saying that ukraine could sign the association agreement with the e.u. in the spring if there are further negotiations between brussels and kiev now this all comes while high profile diplomats from both america and europe are in kiev to try and find a solution to the crisis american assistant secretary of state victoria nuland has held meetings with opposition leaders and is set to meet with representatives of the government while the a huge foreign policy chief catherine ashton is also in kiev to try and find a political solution to the crisis now all this comes

. >>> the government reshuffling adding to the trouble offing ukrainian president viktor yanukovych. >> a critical meeting with his russian counterpart vladimir putin. try defuse a crisis. since late november, following yanukovych's decision to move closer to moscow. >>> ukraine meeting of foreign ministers in bri brussels. ing being russian minister being silicois you many sergey lavrov. gls he accused the ukrainian government of preanniversary cases, and essentially said the eu was turning its back. on monday that message has been slightly adjusted not by stefan fuller himself, we have, dutch and swedish foreign minister who are roughly saying the same thing which is actually let's not be too hasty. if ukraine changes its tactics and comes to the eu with a much more open and available attitude, then it all might tell be open. this is the most useful thing in this situation. there seems toob schis to be a w to handle the situation. >> president yanukovych is set to meet with president putin. >> this is one of the last times they met in public celebrating navy day in june. but much r

. >> as thousands of ukrainians protest against president viktor yanukovych, citizens who support the government are pouring into kiev to lend their voices. >> it's called the save ukraine rally. the implication that from behind the barricades, less than 200m away, the opposition are threatening to break ukraine apart. the governing party succeeded in filling independence square. ironic given the prime minister warned of the dangers of european integration. >> translation: we have to fulfil certain conditions. to you know what kind of conditions are these. we have to legalize same-sex marriages. >> you can see the thousands bringing if to take part in trains and buses, but the reaction of the crowd so far has been subdued >> supporters of viktor yanukovych have arrived from the region all week. workers from industry and teachers on government salaries. i spoke to a pensioner. "we are paid to be here." "how much?" i ask. "very little" he says. many we approached couldn't or couldn't say why they were there. many were afraid of what europe said we had to offer. "europe are against same

we believe investment in the port is necessary to match the trend in these sectors. >> president viktor yanukovych brought home a prize that could stop the erosion and support. it sends a message that the european union and russia, that they are not the only players in this town. >> venezuelans will go to the polls tomorrow and vote in the first regional election since chavez decide in march. the new president has done little to ease food short ims and sky-high inflation. >> polarized for decades. they go back to the polls to elect municipal representatives. five years ago chavez, and a majority of seats won by his party. the opposition hopes to do better. >> the perception is that there's a growing number of people and that people should cast a vote to punish the government. >> the capital is surging. at 54% the inflation rate is one of the highest in the world. economists say the crisis is growing. >> translation: we are dangerously dependent on oil. we invest in reserves which has caused a fast expansion of cash while the international reserves fall. >> in a country where 96% is base

they're protesting viktor yanukovych's decision to reject an agreement with the e.u. and instead tied ukraine to russia. many see that as a way to polish its image just before the world descends upon russia just before the owe olympics. >> we are the host country, and the main thing for us is to create equal conditions for all the sports men so every one of them, no matter which country he represents can show his best qualities, make our and his fans feel happy and bring significant contribution into the development of olympic movement. >> reporter: but in the background is a question of human rights. putin has been cracking down on the press and others against homosexuality. president obama will not be going to the sochi games and instead named two gay sports figures to represent the u.s. at opening and closing ceremonies. >> the fact that we've got folks like billie jean king or brian boyntano who everyone acknowledges their excellence and character who also happen to be members of the lgbt community, they should take that for what it's worth. >> and putin touched u

viktor yanukovych is offering an amnesty to protesters facing criminal charges. he claims police abused their power during a crackdown on protesters. opposition say they want to hold new elections. good morning to you, rory. pro-government supporters are finally firing back here. >> what you can say about what is gone on in ukraine is it's an image war. in the last week it's public spread throughout the world. journalists like me are here in the 100s. this pro-european anti-government message is getting out there. the government is aware that at the moment it's losing a global image war. that's why it is set up. a rival demonstration, not far away from where i'm standing. 300m down the road. there's may be 20,000 pro-government demonstrators bussed in, trained in from all over the country. we have been speaking to some off camera. a few are saying they are paid to be there. so it's definitely these kind of two big camps set up in the center of ukraine, hopefully for the organizers of each one spreading their individual messages for a global audience. >> do you ex

we did have a lot of people in town yesterday day supporting the pro-viktor yanukovych camp, coming out in support of the president. and people here are concerned that the government is going to try to find a way to end the standoff by any means it can. the entrance to the stand you have people doing face checks. they fear that some form of prove kiocati provocation, any form of provocation will give an excuse to clamp down. >> thank you robin. >> michelle bachelet is certain to win big in chile's election. it is the first presidential showdown between two women. michelle bachelet is expected to be backed. she fell short of 50% needed to win outright. egyptians will vote for a new constitution next month. the interim president has set january 14th as the start of a 2-day referendum on a revised constitution. >> approval and voter turn out will determine whether the military support the take over. the muslim brotherhood vowed to boycott of cotton production. in the u.s. government subsidies vice-president blamed for affecting the livelihood of formers in the developing world. that could

. >> there are reports that the ukrainian leader viktor ych signed a deal with russia securing, according to reports, $17 billion worth of aid. you -- ukraine, of course, needs the money to pay its creditors. the country's reserves are running live. it's in dire economic circumstances. these reports about the deal with russia are unconfirmed. of course they spread more anger amongst the demonstrators here in independent square in central kiev because, of course, they want ukraine to go towards the european union and it was failure to sign a deal with the e.u. that prompted all the protests. and on sunday they are planning the big one. they want to repeat the kind of successful mobilisation that they had last weekend here, and they desperately need to keep this momentum going, because they know if they fail to do that, then president viktor yanukovych may well hang on to power with moscow's help. >> french president francis hollande says the president of the central african republic is unable to curb the crisis in his country and should not remain in place. he announced at the paris peace

calls for the resignation of viktor yanukovych is growing. the cathedral dates back to the 12th century. it was rebuilt when ukraine gained independence. it is a powerful symbol of the country breaking away from the yoke of moscow. there was still shock and anger among the protesters here at the way they were evicted from independence square and the renewed determination to put for integration with the european union. >> on saturday my country will be in europe and unfortunately since sunday we are in our country, and i'm worried about the future. >> the soviet union - i don't know. it's terrible i want my children and - i want them to live in a free country. we want to build new country. >> my eyes are full of tears. it's sad. i want my country to become better. >> president viktor yanukovych condemned the use of force. he regretted the events that took place and vowed to bring those responsible to justice. the move against the pro-european protesters was prutal and swift -- brutal and swift in a predawn raid. trudgeons were used to disperse

ukrainian people angry that their president did not sign a trade deal with the e.u., viktor yanukovych, their" decided to remain on the side -- alined it russia. >> what was the stalemate. >> it's a stalemate. it is a question of momentum for these protesters. can they carry on bringing large numbers of people into the city center. do they have a clear idea as to what they want to do next. what will happen next. i don't think there is an answer to that question. that's why there'll be people in the ukrainian government feeling their best strategy is to wait and sit this thing out. perhaps that's why you were saying the president was on an official visit to china. i think the feeling will be it's winter, it's cold and eventually the government may hope that people will get exhausted and start to drift away from the square. this morning, yet again, it should by said they are here in significant numbers. >> with viktor yanukovych out of the country and the protesters wondering what to do, are they getting hope from the arrival of the these big wigs into the european union? would they like

poured into square they know the demonstration has to be big and loud to sustain the pressure on viktoranukovych. on the edge. crowd young men prepared tactics for the worst outcome, another violent confrontation with riot police. a few streets away officers lined up. last week there was chaos, many injured in a place charge. now there's a standoff. riot police at the ready at one end of the street with shields and trudgeons, and at the other, protesters with their flags. they are waiting in preparation. everyone hopes there won't be the repeat of last week's violence. a solitary priest hopes his presence will bring calm. >> >> translation: i hope a new president will be elected and the blood of our youth will not be called. >> they have occupied government buildings but face a deadline to leave by tuesday morning. no one is in a mood to give in. >> i want a new government that listens to the people and doesn't treat us like animals. >>. >> we are here to fight for our lives so kids are brought up in a good country without corruption and where everything is fair. >> viktor yanukovych be