Ukraine protesters give president ultimatum after deadly clashes

KIEV: Ukraine´s opposition threatened to go on the attack on Thursday unless the government agreed to concessions to quell protests that have left five activists dead in the first fatalities of two months of anti-government rallies.

Protesters and police were locked in a tense standoff early Thursday after ferocious clashes that turned an area of central Kiev into a virtual war zone, with police using tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets against protesters hurling stones and Molotov cocktails.

The bloody clashes marked a new peak in tensions after two months of protests over the government´s failure to sign a deal for closer integration with the European Union under Russian pressure.

Opposition leaders including former world boxing champion Vitali Klitshcko have launched talks with President Viktor Yanukovych and they were due to meet again Thursday, with the chief demand of early elections.

The leader of the opposition Fatherland party Arseniy Yatsenyuk had warned the protesters on Independence Square Wednesday evening that Yanukovych had 24 hours to agree a peaceful solution, saying he was ready to die for the cause.

"If he does not go down that path then we will go forwards together and if it means a bullet to the head, then it is a bullet to the head."

Viktor Yanukovych you have 24 hours. Take a decision. I have taken my decision," he said to cheers.

Klitschko told crowds on Independence Square after talks on Wednesday that protesters will go "on the attack" if Yanukovych does not swiftly offer concessions.

"If Yanukovych does not make concessions, then tomorrow (Thursday) we will go on the attack," Klitschko said, adding the president could resolve the situation without bloodshed by giving way to the chief demand of early elections.

Oleg Musiy, the coordinator of the medical service, told pro-opposition Hromadske radio, that five people have been killed and around 300 wounded in Wednesday´s clashes.