Ukrainian protesters occupy government buildings

By: 11 years ago

Orthodox priests pray as they stand between pro-European Union activists and police lines in central Kiev, Ukraine, Friday. AP

KIEV, Ukraine—Protesters have seized a government building in the Ukrainian capital while also maintaining the siege of several governors’ offices in the country’s west, raising the pressure on the government.

After meeting with President Viktor Yanukovych on Thursday, opposition leaders told the crowds that he has promised to ensure the release of dozens of protesters detained after clashes with police and stop further detentions. They urged the protesters to maintain a shaky truce following violent street battles in the capital, but were booed by demonstrators eager to resume their attacks on police.

Early Friday, the protesters broke into the downtown building of the Ministry of Agricultural Policy, meeting no resistance. The move followed the seizure of local governors’ offices in several western regions on Thursday.