Nearly 300,000 outraged Ukrainians braved freezing temperatures today to demand closer Western integration after the European Union abruptly suspended historic partnership talks because of the government's continued courtship of Russia.
The ex-Soviet nation of 46 million has been at the heart of a furious diplomatic tug of war since President Viktor Yanukovych's shock decision last month to ditch a landmark EU association agreement and seek closer ties with its traditional masters at the Kremlin.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele announced in a surprise tweet at the start of today's rally that the bloc was halting all negotiations until it received "a clear commitment" from Yanukovych that Ukraine was serious about the deal.
"Ukraine: Words and deeds of President and government regarding #AssocAgreement further and further apart," Fuele said.
Yanukovych is due in Moscow on Tuesday for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin that protesters occupying central Kiev's iconic Independence Square fear could result in an even firmer alliance between the two neighbours.
Demonstrators have planned another huge rally to coincide with Yanukovych's meeting with Putin on Tuesday evening. They were warmly reassured of continued US backing today by Republican Senator John McCain -- one of Washington's staunchest critics of Kremlin rule.
"To all Ukraine, America stands with you," McCain called out to a cheering sea of people who chanted "Thank you!" in English in return.
Protesters were eagerly awaiting McCain's appearance on a makeshift Independence Square stage when news spread that Fuele had said Brussels was halting talks with Kiev after an inconclusive Friday meeting.
