A Ukrainian protester slams a toppled monument of Vladimir Lenin in Kiev, Ukraine, on Sunday, December 8. Ukrainians occupied the square to denounce President Viktor Yanukovich's decision to turn away from Europe and align this ex-Soviet republic with Russia, as protests continued for a third week.
Riot police separate pro-EU protesters and supporters of the ruling Regions Party during a large rally held in Independence Square in Kiev on December 8.
Demonstrators shout slogans during the mass rally on December 8.
Thousands of protesters gather in Kiev's Independence Square on December 8.
Pro-European Union activists shout slogans during the rally on December 8. An estimated 100,000 Ukrainians participated.
A young protester shouts slogans near a placard depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin and signed "Fare you well!" during the December 8 rally.
Pro-European Union activists gather around a huge poster of jailed former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko on December 8.
Riot police block protesters during the December 8 rally in Kiev.
A rose, the symbol of the revolution, lies on barricades being built by Pro-European Union activists next to the Ukrainian Government building in Kiev on December 8.
A pro-European Union activist holds a cut-out paper heart as she faces police at the presidential office in Kiev, Ukraine, on December 8.
European Union and Ukrainian national flags fly above a crowd of pro-EU activists in Independence Square on December 8.
Pro-EU activists shout slogans during the rally in Independence Square on December 8.
Demonstrators gather in Independence Square during the mass rally December 8.
A pro-EU activist offers flowers to police officers at the presidential office in Kiev on December 8.
Anti-government protesters camp in Independence Square early in the morning on December 8.
Protesters demonstrate against Yanukovich and call for a closer relationship to the EU on Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine, on Saturday, December 7.
Protesters prepare food at a camp at central Independence Square on December 7, as thousands keep their vigil in Ukraine's capital.
Pro-EU activists attend a rally in Independence Square on December 7.
Orthodox believers, carrying icons and crosses, walk during a religious procession outside the parliament building in Kiev, Ukraine, on Friday, December 6.
Police stand guard opposite a sea of protesters near the Ukrainian parliament in Kiev on Tuesday, December 3. Riot police lined up to protect the office of President Viktor Yanukovich, whose decision not to sign a landmark trade deal with the European Union sparked the public outrage.
Protesters chant slogans outside the parliament in Kiev on December 3.
Protesters gather in front of the parliament in Kiev on December 3.
Police stand guard outside the parliament in Kiev on December 3.
Protesters use a bulldozer during clashes with police at the presidential office in Kiev, Ukraine, on Sunday, December 1. At least 100,000 anti-government protesters packed Independence Square on Sunday.
A protester throws stones toward riot police on December 1. The crowd chanted "Revolution!" and "Down with the Gang" as it gathered in Kiev's iconic Independence Square and steered a bulldozer within striking distance of police barricades protecting the nearby presidential administration office.
A bleeding protester shouts at a police medic after police pushed protesters off the street leading to the presidential administration building on December 1.
Protesters clash with police guarding the presidential administration building on December 1.
A Ukrainian protester throws stones at riot police during the clashes outside the president's office on December 1.
Police and protesters look at an injured person near the presidential office on December 1.
Pro-European Union demonstrators clash with police near the presidential administration office in Kiev on December 1.
Demonstrators gather in downtown Kiev on December 1.
Anti-government protesters gather near Shevchenko University on December 1 in Kiev.
A protester injured in clash with police stands on Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine, on Saturday, November 30. Protesters gathered in the main square to protest the government's decision not to sign a landmark trade deal with the European Union.
Police officers guard Independence Square on November 30 after dispersing a rally.
Dozens of protesters were wounded in a clash with police in Kiev on November 30.
Ukrainian riot police officers detain a protester on November 30.
Opposition supporters hold flags of the European Union on November 30 as they guard the gates of the Mikhailovsky monastery.
A woman cries during a rally on November 30.
Injured protesters receive medical help in an ambulance after riot police broke up a rally on November 30.
Protesters gather over barrels with bonfires to warm themselves on November 30.
Opposition supporters shout slogans and wave flags on Friday, November 29.
A demonstrator holds a torn portrait of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych on November 29.
Demonstrators hold hands during a rally on November 29.
Demonstrators take to the streets in the center of Kiev on Thursday, November 28.
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- Crowds chant "Good job" after statue of Soviet hero falls
- Kiev suspended talks with the European Union last month
- Protesters hope to pile more pressure on the government
- Ukrainian President Yanukovich met his Russian counterpart Friday
Kiev, Ukraine (CNN) -- Protesters in Kiev knocked down a statue of Vladimir Lenin on Sunday as outrage mounted over the government's suspension of talks with the European Union.
A crowd of cheering protesters chanted "Good job" after the statue fell.
Pieces of the statue were on the ground. Only parts of the Soviet hero's legs remained at the base. A man waving a Ukrainian flag stood atop the pedestal beside them.
Numerous statues of Lenin, one of the leaders of the 1917 Russian Revolution, have been removed from Kiev in previous years.
The toppling of the statue on Sunday came as 100,000 protesters took to the streets of Kiev, according to police estimates, piling more pressure on Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich after he turned away from integration with Europe.
Kiev suspended talks with the European Union last month, angering many Ukrainians who say an EU agreement would have opened borders to trade and set the stage for modernization and inclusion.
The subsequent protests that have rattled the eastern European country are the biggest in Ukraine since the so-called Orange Revolution nine years ago, a populist movement that toppled the government.
Opposition leaders, who failed to force the government's resignation in a vote of confidence in parliament last week, are counting on their supporters to voice their discontent.
Demonstrators flocked to the capital's Independence Square, many camping out in freezing weather as they demanded the government's ouster as well as early presidential and parliamentary elections.
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Others rallied outside the cabinet office, the presidential office and other government offices -- in some cases blocking the buildings and preventing employees from working.
Tens of thousands of anti-government activists met at noon in Kiev for a rally organizers hailed as the "1 Million March," hoping it would swell to 1 million people as the day went on.
Ukrainian opposition leaders said close to half a million people were out on the streets. Police put the figure at 60,000.
The crowd waved Ukrainian and EU flags and chanted slogans such as "Ukraine is Europe." Some held pictures of Yanukovich's jailed chief political opponent, Yulia Tymoshenko.
In statements posted on her official website, Tymoshenko called on supporters to keep up their demands.
"I believe that you are strong, inspired and not retreat," wrote the former prime minister, who
ended a 12-day hunger strike last week, according to the Batkivschyna opposition party.
"Be prepared for the fact that the struggle will be long and difficult, instant victory impossible. But professional and well-planned, your joint struggle has a chance to finish the victory."
Opposition demands
Demonstrators held a similar rally December 1. The daily protests have mainly been peaceful, but there has also been some violence, drawing condemnation from Western governments.
The crowds often swell in size in the evenings as people leave work and join the protests.
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Turmoil in Ukraine
In speeches at the rallies, protest leaders have called for the government's resignation, the release of protesters arrested during clashes in Kiev, and the punishment of those responsible for using violence against demonstrators.
"I appeal to the whole Ukraine, its East and West. The whole Ukraine must rise and declare a strike to this power in all cities and towns from tomorrow," said boxer Vitaly Klitschko, an opposition leader, in a statement on the website of the Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reform party.
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Ukraine, Russian presidents meet
Against the backdrop of the anti-government protests, Yanukovich met Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday.
The Ukrainian President traveled to China last week and had a work meeting with his Russian counterpart on the way back.
"The two Presidents discussed current bilateral relations and preparations for the upcoming meeting of the Russian-Ukrainian Interstate Commission in Moscow," an official statement from Putin's office said.
One of the main reasons for Yanukovich's decision to backpedal on the EU talks is Russia's threat of trade sanctions and gas bill hikes. Yanukovich was also under pressure by the EU to free Tymoshenko.
The Orange Revolution that swept him from office in 2004, when he was prime minister, also swept Tymoshenko to power.
Tymoshenko was sentenced to seven years in prison in 2011 after being convicted of abuse of authority over a natural gas deal negotiated with Russia in 2009. The United States and Europe see the punishment as politically motivated.
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CNN's Radina Gigova contribute to this report.
