Detained police officers freed by Kiev protesters

Police officers taken hostage by anti-government protesters in Ukraine are released amid deadly violence in the capital, Kiev.

Ukraine’s Interior Ministry announced earlier on Thursday that more than 60 security forces were taken hostage after their bus was besieged by protesters in Kiev.

The officers, who were taken to St Volodymyr’s Cathedral nearby by rioters, were freed on Friday.

According to reports, the officers left the protest site in Kiev’s Independence Square after they were set free.

The latest deadly clashes in Ukraine come despite a truce between President Viktor Yanukovych and the main opposition leaders. According to the country’s Health Ministry, at least 75 people, including police officers, have died since the latest round of violence broke out on February, 18.

On Thursday, Russia, Germany and the United States called for an urgent political solution to the crisis in Ukraine as violence in the country continues to escalate.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also announced on Thursday that President Yanukovych had moved closer to holding early elections.

Ukraine has been rocked by anti-government protests since Yanukovych refrained from signing an Association Agreement with the European Union on November 29, 2013, in favor of closer ties with Russia.

Kiev and Moscow reached a strategic economic and trade deal last December, which provides Ukraine with significant discounts on imported Russian gas and billions of dollars in credit.