Diplomatic activity in Ukraine

The President of Ukraine has met with the EU’s Foreign Policy Chief.

Catherine Ashton is the latest diplomat to travel to the capital Kyiv since mass anti-government protests began.

Those followed Victor Yanukovych’s decision to ditch a trade deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia.

Speaking earlier on TV with three former presidents, Yanukovych said Ukraine was in the middle.

“I am strongly against opposing relations with Europe in favour of relations with Russia and vice versa. We need to find a way to co-exist. I think Europe will sleep peacefully in warmth if Ukraine has good relations with Russia, if there aren’t any conflicts like when the gas was turned off,” he said.

Catherine Ashton is expected to meet with opposition leaders on her two-day visit.

Meanwhile pro-EU protesters, who have been camped in Independence Square in central Kyiv for over two weeks, are showing no signs of leaving, despite the freezing cold.