Yanukovych's Next Move Crucial, Aides Head for Brussels, Moscow

Tens of thousands of Ukrainians rallied on Sunday against President Viktor Yanukovich's decision to not sign a landmark trade deal with the EU. Photo by EPA/BGNES

As Kiev was rocked by its largest popular protests since the 2004 Orange Revolution on Sunday, political analysts are unanimous that the next move of the embattled President Viktor Yanukovych will be crucial.

Meanwhile it emerged that a representative Ukrainian delegation will be heading for Brussels.

Among the tasks of the delegation is the discussion on the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, said the country's Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara.

The parties will discuss the issue of gas prices, cooperation with financial international institutions, the decrease of the turnover between Ukraine and the EU, the minister said, as cited by RIA Novosti.

No further details were disclosed.

In a separate news aides to Yanukovych said he still planned to travel to China on a long-planned trip on Wednesday, after which he is due in Moscow.

A huge rally took place in the Ukrainian capital on Sunday to oppose a government decision not to sign a deal on closer EU ties, despite a ban.

Casualties were reported on the fringes of the rally after clashes near the office of the president.

Police used tear gas and stun grenades to repel a group advancing on police lines and throwing large stones.

Elsewhere in the city centre, protesters stormed the city council building and occupied it.

Vast crowds rallied on Kiev's Independence Square, defying a ban imposed a day earlier. Estimates of the numbers ranged from around 100,000 to more than 350,000.

The mainstream opposition and its leaders said they had nothing to do with those engaged in violence near the presidential headquarters, and that it was the work of "provocateurs".

Protesters are demanding the resignation of President Viktor Yanukovych's government and new elections. President Yanukovych says Russian pressure was behind his decision not to sign the deal.

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