Ukraine opposition rejects talks offer

Ukrainian opposition leaders have rejected President Viktor Yanukovych’s offer of negotiations, calling for dismissal of his government and release of detained protesters.

The opposition dismissed the offer on Wednesday after Yanukovych issued an invitation to political, religious and civil figures to participate in a national dialogue.

Opposition leader Oleksandr Turchynov criticized the government’s reaction to the protests, saying, “The authorities are driving into a dead end.”

Yuri Lutsenko, a former interior minister who is another opposition leader, and Arseniy Yatsenyuk, leader of the largest opposition party in parliament, have also rejected the proposed talks.

In November, Kiev refused to sign an agreement with the European Union to deepen economic and political ties with the bloc.

The government decision to withdraw from the deal with the bloc triggered major street protests by the opposition supporters.

On Wednesday, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov and other officials vowed that police would not act against peaceful protesters.

“As prime minister, I affirm with full authority – there will be no use of force against peaceful demonstrators,” he said.

Interior Minister Vitaly Zakharchenko also said in a statement that “there will be no dispersal” of protesters.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon said on Wednesday that Kiev has assured Washington that it had a policy against using the armed forces against protesters.

Pentagon spokesman Carl Woog said that Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel warned his Ukrainian counterpart of the “potential damage of any involvement by the military in breaking up the demonstrations.”

He added that Ukrainian Defense Minister Pavlo Lebedyev said, “It is President Yanukovych’s position not to use the armed forces against the protesters.”

Russian legislators on Tuesday expressed concern over the interference of Western countries in the internal affairs of Ukraine.

Members of Russia’s State Duma said in a statement that Kiev’s geopolitical choice is an internal and sovereign right of its people.

Russia’s Lower House also called on pro-EU protesters to stop illegal actions and solve all problems within the framework of the law.