Security heightened in Kiev amid EU protests

Ukraine has increased security around government buildings in anticipation of a fresh wave of demonstrations by protestors seeking greater integration with Europe, a Ukrainian news agency reported Tuesday. Kiev has been rocked since the weekend by rolling protests against the government’s decision last week to halt preparations to sign landmark association agreements with the European Union. Metal shields have been erected around the entrance to the building housing the Ukrainian Cabinet, with ID checks required to enter it, the Ukrainian National News agency reported. Riot police have used tear gas during clashes with protestors in recent days. Several hundred protestors were reportedly gathered outside the Cabinet building Tuesday morning. Ukrainian officials said earlier in the day that a bus stormed by protestors on Monday evening was being used by the security services to monitor the crowd for extremists preparing explosive materials. Smaller rallies in Kiev in favor of closer ties with the EU followed a demonstration on Kiev’s European Square on Sunday that media reports said attracted up to 100,000 people. There have been no reported arrests during the demonstrations, which have also taken place in other Ukrainian cities. Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych sought to reassure protestors in a statement on Monday during which he said that nothing could prevent Ukraine from following a European path of development.