Party of Regions supporters are holding a pro-governmental rally near the Verkhovna Rada building in Kyiv's Mariyinsky Park.

Several thousand people are voicing their support to the authorities on Constitution Square, an Interfax correspondent reports. They are carrying state and party flags and signs indicating the names of their hometowns. The action is calm.

Metal fences and police cordons were placed alongside the perimeter of the rally site.

Activists and deputies are addressing the demonstrators from the stage. They are expressing their support for the policy of the authorities and Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and urging the opposition to negotiate.

The speakers have promised that "more people" will join their rally in Kyiv this weekend.

The Party of Regions announced plans to hold a large rally in the capital city this weekend. The party said about 200,000 supporters of the party and the incumbent authorities would come to Kyiv from various regions of the country.