Ukraine president backs talks as protesters block government offices

After weeks of mass protests over his U-turn away from the European Union, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich backed a call for talks involving the opposition to work out a compromise, his website said Monday.

With pressure growing as thousands remained on the streets of Kiev, the website said Leonid Kravchuk -- Ukraine's first post-Soviet president, who served from 1991 to 1994 -- had proposed a "nationwide panel discussion" in which government and opposition representatives would take part.

Yanukovich "supported the given initiative. According to him, such panel discussion can become a platform for understanding," according to the presidential website.

He will hold talks with three of his predecessors Tuesday, it added.

As the statement was issued, riot police took up positions around Kiev's central Independence Square.

On Sunday, about 100,000 protesters poured onto the streets of the capital to pile pressure on Yanukovich, calling for the resignation of his government and early elections. A group toppled a statue of Vladimir Lenin, with some pounding the monument with hammers, leaving pieces scattered on the ground.

On Monday, the demonstrators were still out in force, braving snow, waving flags, chanting. Many were packed into the central Independence Square, now transformed into a tent village, sustained by donations.

Others barricaded the Cabinet's headquarters and other key public buildings, erecting tents and parking cars on roads in the government district.

"They have cut traffic off, they are continuing to protest around the government buildings," said Kiev resident Sergey Vysotsky, 24. "They are continuing the so-called government blockade."