Rally in central Kyiv calls on Premier Azarov to step down

11:28, 26.11.2013 1 min read

Some 150 supporters of the Ukrainian opposition and people who back Ukraine's integration with the European Union are holding a rally outside the government headquarters demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Mykola Azarov.

The demonstrators are holding EU and Ukrainian flags, flags of the Batkivschyna opposition party and pro-EU banners, an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent reported.

Six buses with soldiers of the Berkut special operations unit can be seen near the government building, access to which has been sealed off by the police.

So far demonstrators have not made any attempts to break through the police lines and approach the building.

On November 21, the Ukrainian government decided to halt preparations for the signing of the Association Agreement with the EU, prompting opposition faction leaders to announce an indefinite protest on November 24. Clashes between demonstrators and police erupted outside the government headquarters on November 24 and November 25. Police used tear gas. Two activists of the Svoboda party were detained.