Pro EU demonstrations continue Monday morning

About 1,000 protesters blocked off the Ukrainian government's main headquarters on Monday (December 2) in protest at its decision to suspend moves to deepen integration with Europe and to revive economic ties with Russia.

In response to an opposition call for a nationwide strike over President Viktor Yanukovich's U-turn on Europe, protesters gathered outside the cabinet building in the capital Kiev and lined the street with obstacles, including flower pots and rubbish bins, to prevent government workers from getting inside.

Waving political party flags from the far-right Svoboda, or 'freedom' party, and chanting, "Glory to the Ukrainian people!" and "Down with the Gang", protesters listened to former Ukrainian Interior Minister Yuri Lutsenko as he rallied the crowd.

"The Cabinet of Ministers must go away, and a new life, as well as an economic (life), must start," Lutsenko said.

Transport was running smoothly in Kiev, however, despite the strike call.

Witn