The people of Ukraine have come out in force in a huge rally attempting to pile pressure on President Yanukovych to stop seeking closer ties with Russia.<br /><br /> Tensions between the government and pro-Europe activists are expected to increase as a result of the demonstration, which has drawn hundreds of thousands of protesters to the capital, Kyiv. <br /><br /> In a gesture likely to anger Yanukovych further, protesters in the capital’s Independence Square have put up a giant portrait of his arch rival, Yulia Tymoshenko, decked with anti-government placards. <br /><br /> Leader of the largest political opposition party in Ukraine, Tymoshenko was jailed for seven years in 2011 for alleged abuse of office.<br /><br /> According to protester Victoria Gaponenko, there is a general feeling of anger with the way the government is working:<br /><br /> “We are here for the freedom of Ukraine and for our own personal freedom,” she said. “We don’t want bandits to rule our country.”<br /><br /> Sunday’s rally has even drawn support from outside Ukraine.<br /><br /> “I came here to express my solidarity with the Ukrainian people,” said Antoy Jilko, a protester from Belarus. “This is a historically significant moment because right now not only is Ukraine’s fate being decided, but all of Eastern Europe.” <br /><br /> Ukrainian national Marina Tredner made the trip from Sweden, where she now resides, to support the pro-Europe demonstrations. <br /><br /> “I couldn’t stay in Sweden and just watch what’s happening with my country, and how they destroy everything that’s important to me,” she explained. “I spent the first night here and I think it’s the safest place, actually.”<br /><br /> Speculation that Yanukovych met with Russian president Vladimir Putin to discuss a customs union between the two countries has provoked the rally. <br /><br /> Protesters are concerned that such a union will lead to the creation of a new Soviet Union, and the break up of Ukraine. <br /><br /> Moscow and Kyiv deny discussing this, but has confirmed that the two governments will meet on December 17.
