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Kremlin highlighting rocky developments in Kiev, keeps close eye on events

More than 5,000 protesters gathered for a rally in front of the parliament’s building in Kiev
A rally outside the Ukrainian parliament in Kiev Sergei Safronov/TASS
A rally outside the Ukrainian parliament in Kiev
© Sergei Safronov/TASS

MOSCOW, October 18. /TASS/. The Kremlin is closely following the developments in Kiev where protests are underway and highlights the lack of stability there, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday.

"We are closely following the developments there," he said. "The situation is far from stable, that’s an obvious fact," Peskov added, commenting on the protests in the Ukrainian capital.

On Tuesday, more than 5,000 protesters from across the political spectrum gathered for a rally in front of the parliament’s building demanding, among other things, to establish an anti-corruption tribunal and to strip lawmakers of their immunity. One of the protest leaders, Georgian ex-President and ex-Governor of Ukraine’s Odessa Region, Mikhail Saakashvili, demanded President Pyotr Poroshenko resign.

The protest turned violent as demonstrators clashed with police on Tuesday afternoon. As a result, one officer and three protesters were injured.

The activists put up more than 40 tents in the area to stay overnight. Last night, the situation in downtown Kiev remained calm, no incidents were reported.