Ukraine today said the introduction of a state of emergency was not yet on the agenda after radicals seized the justice ministry in Kiev in an attack that raised concerns of a derailing of talks to ease the crisis.
The Ukrainian parliament tomorrow was due to meet to discuss concessions proposed by President Viktor Yanukovych, in a highly anticipated extraordinary session that could be a make-or-break moment to resolve the standoff.
With concern growing in the West that the situation in Ukraine was spiralling out of control, the country's worst crisis since independence was also set to dominate an EU-Russia summit tomorrow.
The protests, which began in November as a drive for EU integration after Yanukovych ditched a key deal with the bloc under Russian pressure, have now turned into an all out uprising to unseat him.
Amid a febrile atmosphere in Kiev, the Dzerkalo Tyzhnia news website reported the cabinet was preparing a decree for a state of emergency which would restrict movement on some Kiev streets.
But Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara told reporters today: "Today we are not considering the introduction of a state of emergency. Today, this measure is not on the table."
Tensions remained high in Kiev after several dozen radical protesters seized control of the justice ministry late yesterday.
Justice Minister Olena Lukash, who is taking part in the negotiations with the opposition, said she would ask for the talks to be broken off if the building was not freed.
If the protesters do not vacate the building, Lukash said she would also approach Ukraine's national security council with "a demand to discuss imposing a state of emergency in this country," Lukash told Ukraine's Inter channel.
After occupying the premises for over 12 hours, the activists walked out of the building but dozens dressed in battle fatigues still blocked the front entrance, an AFP correspondent said.
Opposition leaders said in a joint statement that they were still open to negotiations "despite an attempt by the authorities to abandon the negotiations and declare a state of emergency".
The statement confirmed the justice ministry building had now been emptied of protesters, whose action had been seen as a dangerous provocation by many within the mainstream opposition.
