(15 Dec 2013) About 200,000 Pro-European Union demonstrators gathered for a major rally in Kiev on Sunday, as the protests enter a fourth week.
The protest camp in downtown Kiev has expanded in recent days with barricades and large, army-style tents set up along the street from Independence Square, the centre of the protests.
The demonstrators' confidence has been bolstered in the past week after riot police stood down from two confrontations, and by indications that the government may be open to talks.
"I'm 100 per cent sure, not 99, but 100 per cent sure, that our aims will be achieved," said Kiev resident Olena Velyka.
There have been widespread protests across Ukraine since late November following the Ukrainian government's decision not to sign an association deal with the European Union under pressure from Russia.
In the face of the growing protests, which present a serious challenge to President Viktor Yanukovych's leadership, Ukrainian officials this week renewed talks with the
EU about signing the association agreement.
The protests are the largest since 2004's pro-democracy Orange Revolution demonstrations.
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