At least three people have been killed during clashes between protesters and police in the Ukrainian capital.

Ukraine’s prime minister has insisted that a bailout deal reached with Russia will guarantee financial stability in the troubled country.

The European Union suspended association talks with Ukraine yesterday as more than 200,000 protesters massed in the heart of Kiev demanding that the government recommit itself to the West.

A solution to Ukraine’s political turmoil is remaining elusive with thousands of people continuing to gather on Kiev’s Independence Square and besiege key government buildings.

Ukraine’s opposition has failed to force out the government with a no-confidence vote in parliament, leaving the country’s political tensions unresolved.

Thousands of Ukrainian protesters have blocked entrances to the government building and called for the removal of the prime minister and his cabinet, as anger at the president’s decision to ditch a deal for closer ties with the EU gripped other parts of the country and threatened his rule.

Thousands of protesters poured into Kiev’s Independence Square last night, the centre of Ukraine’s pro-West Orange Revolution, to demand that the government reverse course and sign a landmark agreement with the European Union.

Opposition MPs have booed Ukraine’s prime minister, whose government shelved a potential historic deal with the European Union, while turning towards Moscow.

Ukraine’s parliament has delayed a key vote on the release of jailed former premier Yulia Tymoshenko, a move that threatens to derail the ex-Soviet republic’s push toward the European Union and shift it back into Russia’s orbit.

Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych's party claimed victory in an election vote tainted by the jailing of the country's top opposition leader.

RATINGS WINNER

Rescue helicopters evacuated dozens of people from snow-blocked villages in Serbia and Bosnia and airlifted in emergency food and medicine as a severe cold spell kept eastern Europe in its icy grip.

Helicopters have lifted dozens of people from snow-blocked villages in Serbia and Bosnia and brought in emergency food and medicine as a severe cold spell kept Eastern Europe in its icy grip.

At least 40 people died today when their bus was hit by a train at a level crossing in Ukraine.

OPPOSITION lawmakers hurled eggs and smoke bombs inside Ukraine’s parliament yesterday as the chamber approved an agreement allowing the Russian navy to extend its stay in a Ukrainian port until 2042.

POLAND and Ukraine will host the European soccer championship in 2012 after UEFA awarded them the tournament ahead of Italy and another joint bid from Hungary and Croatia yesterday.

Ukraine Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych showed no signs of giving in to pressure to step down, insisting he would challenge the results of Sunday’s presidential vote that gave opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko a solid victory.

Rival factions in Ukraine’s parliament failed today to agree on passing electoral changes aimed at ensuring a fair vote in the nation’s December 26 presidential run-off.

The presidents of Ukraine, Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan were gathering today in the Black Sea coast resort of Yalta for two days of meetings on the mechanics of a fledgling economic community meant to boost trade among the former soviet republics and promote growth by increasing investment.