Ukraine clashes continue despite initial deal with govt.

Fresh clashes have continued between Ukrainian police and protesters in the capital Kiev, despite an initial deal between the government and the opposition to resolve the ongoing crisis.

While Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych announced a deal with the opposition to end the country’s weeks-long crisis, Ukrainian police forces clashed with anti-government protesters near Kiev’s Independence Square on Friday, Reuters reported.

A police statement failed to say whether there had been any casualties.

Yanukovych said the agreement involves holding an early presidential election, forming a national unity government and making changes to the constitution.

Under a newly-proposed constitution, the president’s powers will be also reduced.

The initial deal comes after Yanukovych held talks with the opposition and European Union ministers from Poland, Germany and France over resolving Ukraine’s crisis.

Clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters have left scores dead on both sides over the past several days.

Ukraine’s Health Ministry says nearly 77 people have been killed and more than 500 injured since the latest round of violence broke out on February 18.

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.