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Protesters in Kiev wait for results of president’s Moscow visit

'Popular assembly' will decide on how long to continue protests on Independence Square; meanwhile, protesters plan to picket government buildings

© EPA/TATYANA ZENKOVICH

KIEV, December 17. /ITAR-TASS/. Pro-president and pro-EU rallies continue in central Kiev with people on both sides of the barricades awaiting news from Moscow, where trade, economic and cooperation documents are to be signed after a session of the Russian-Ukrainian interstate commission on Tuesday.

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No major changes were seen during the night on Independence Square and Kreshchatik Street, where opposition had set up tents. Several hundred people were seen there in the morning, mainly residents of the tent city. Kiev residents hurry by, stopping over for just for a couple of minutes on their way to work.

The main events are scheduled for the evening. A new ‘popular assembly’ is scheduled for 6pm local time (8pm Moscow time) to discuss Ukrainian delegation’s visit to Moscow as well as to decide on how long to continue protests on Independence Square. In the meantime, protesters plan to picket government buildings.

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Some 15 big army tents were set up in central Kreshchatik Street. Barricades of sacks filled with snow have sagged and blackened, as warm temperatures have settled in Kiev.

Some 2,000 supporters of the ruling Party of Regions continue their meeting in Mariinsky Park. Slogans can be seen on the tents with appeals to support the president and prevent foreign interference in internal affairs of the country.

Security measures are heavy in the government quarter.

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Belarusian KGB reports thwarting attempted drone strikes on Minsk from Lithuania

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Russia vetoes US-backed UNSC resolution on banning nuclear weapons in outer space

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Belarus responds to threats with preventive deterrence measures — defense minister

Viktor Khrenin emphasized that provocations by Western countries could become a catalyst for unleashing a military conflict

Russia maintains position on 'buffer zone' in Ukraine to counter missile threats

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Mongolia to enter into free trade agreement with EAEU by year-end

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Over 3,100 foreign mercenaries fight for Ukraine, most of them from US

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Ukrainian forces refuse to obey Commander-in-Chief Syrsky — CIA ex-analyst

Larry Johnson also noted that the Russian forces manage to advance recently despite the slush on the roads

Staff shortage cannot be covered by labor migration — Putin

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West bends sanctions rules when it suits them — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that, "according to some parameters, companies in Europe and other regions can hardly maintain their competitiveness if they completely abandon our products"

Kiev violates diplomatic relations convention by recruiting mercenaries abroad — diplomat

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