KIEV:

Tens of thousands of Ukrainians, with EU flags and chanting "Down with the gang!", marched in the capital yesterday in a pro-Europe rally denouncing President Viktor Yanukovich's U-turn in policy back towards Russia.

In the biggest demonstrations in Kiev since the Orange Revolution nine years ago, opposition leaders called on Mr Yanukovich to go ahead with the signing of an agreement with the European Union on November 29 as planned.

Prime Minister Mykola Azarov's government has said it will suspend preparations to sign the key pact with the EU.