Outraged Ukrainians rallied in central Kiev today after President Viktor Yanukovych discussed a new strategic partnership agreement with Russia's Vladimir Putin upon rejecting a historic EU deal.
Several thousand supporters of Western integration braved swirling winds and a heavy snowfall to maintain control of the capital's iconic Independence Square for the seventh successive day.
Some volunteers wrapped themselves in wool blankets as they handed out meals from a makeshift kitchen to the crowd. Others swept up garbage around a few dozen tents set up between barricades on the sprawling square.
Protest organisers expect up to 3,00,000 to turn out on Sunday for the largest demonstration since the 2004 pro-democracy Orange Revolution first nudged the former Soviet nation of 46 million closer to the West.
The embattled Ukrainian president held unannounced talks with Putin in Russia yesterday after completing a mission to China aimed at drumming up backing for his cash-strapped government.
