A police crackdown on protesters in the Ukrainian capital ended in the deaths of 25 people and dozens injured, after several weeks that had been relatively calm.

Ukraine’s demonstrations started in November, when President Victor Yanukovich decided not to sign a free trade agreement with the European Union, choosing instead to maintain close economic ties with its eastern neighbour, Russia.

Yanukovich said that the opposition had “crossed the limits”, and that he “urge[d] the leaders of the opposition, who argue that they too seek a peaceful settlement, immediately disassociate themselves from the radical forces that provoke bloodshed and clashes with law enforcement”.