Ukraine's President Condemns Violence Against Protesters

Police in Kiev used truncheons and tear gas as thousands take to the streets.

President Viktor Yanukovych said in an address on Saturday night that he condemned "the actions that led to the forceful confrontation and the suffering of people."

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He added that he was "outraged" by the violence.

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Police moved in at 0430 a.m. in Kiev after 10,000 anti-government demonstrators converged on a square outside Mikhailovsky Zlatoverkhy Cathedral.

The crackdown came a day after U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt warned about serious consequences if force was used against the protesters.

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Witnesses say tear gas and truncheons were used.

Pro-EU-integration protests in Ukraine turn bloody; demonstrators want Yanukovich out. http://t.co/Y9G2xVxuuP

Jim Roberts

@nycjim

Pro-EU-integration protests in Ukraine turn bloody; demonstrators want Yanukovich out. http://t.co/Y9G2xVxuuP

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It was horrible. We were holding a peaceful demonstration and they attacked us. They threw us away like garbage.

The protests follow the president's refusal to sign a pro-EU agreement.

all because us Ukrainians want to be part of the #EuropeanUnion #Ukraine **picture from @CNN http://t.co/AOXigSQs9m

Anné

@classycoconut

all because us Ukrainians want to be part of the #EuropeanUnion #Ukraine

**picture from @CNN

http://t.co/AOXigSQs9m

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Ukraine's political opposition said on Saturday it would call a general strike to force the resignation of President Yanukovich.

Kiev's authorities say they will ban rallies in the heart of the city.

In a statement read by her daughter, Jailed opposition leader and ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko urged Ukrainians "not to leave the authorities' actions unanswered".

Preparations are being made for another rally tomorrow.

Protests In Ukraine Over Scuttled EU Deal Are Escalating Quickly - http://t.co/7pONLcsqZx

onwiredbiz

@onwiredbiz

Protests In Ukraine Over Scuttled EU Deal Are Escalating Quickly - http://t.co/7pONLcsqZx

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