Violent clashes in Ukraine continue

Ukrainian opposition fighters pushed interior troops out from the territory near the parliament (Verkhovna Rada). At the intersection of Grushevsky and Krepostnoy Val streets, protesters climbed onto the roofs of vehicles that were blocking their way and broke through the police cordon.

Explosions of firecrackers can be heard everywhere, batons can be seen in the crowd; the police use stun grenades against the protesters.

According to UNIAN, clashes with police take place on Sadovaya and Shelkovichnaya streets. Protesters throw rocks at riot police, the latter use tear gas in return.

Protesters set fire to car tires near Dynamo stadium; the smoke from the tires billows towards government quarters.

Opposition leaders called on their supporters to picket the parliament on February 18. Opposition politicians want to force the Party of Regions support the bill to amend the constitution to bring back the constitution from 2004. According to the opposition, the transformation of Ukraine into a parliamentary presidential republic would resolve the political crisis in the country.

The standoff in Ukraine lasts for more than two months after the government announced the suspension of the European integration of the country. Following the adoption of "dictatorial" laws in mid-January, a new round of laws clashes occurred.

On January 28, Yanukovych accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov, and the Verkhovna Rada overturned the laws that had been passed on January 16.