Kyiv braced for further violence as thousands of protesters faced off with riot police across burning barricades, after the government halted its attempt to clear a square that has been the center of unrest.
Ranks of riot police stood in formation despite the acrid smoke, while troops of young men armed with clubs and Molotov cocktails trickled back into the square after a night of clashes.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych blamed opposition leaders for the violence, which at last count had killed 25 and injured 241, according to the Health Ministry. Opposition leaders said Yanukovych was responsible for the deaths. But riot police stopped short of completely storming Independence Square, which has been the symbol of resistance to his government.
Russia and the West, which have accused one another of competing for influence in Ukraine, remain deeply divided over how to mediate a peace agreement.
