Pro-Russian separatists are continuing their stand-off at government buildings in eastern Ukraine.<br /><br />In the cities of Luhansk and Donetsk, protesters have rejected an offer to lay down their weapons in exchange for an amnesty.<br /><br />It has been a week since demonstrators began calling for a referendum on the future of the largely Russian-speaking federation.<br /><br />Kyiv has so far refused to give in to their demands, but on a visit to the region today Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk renewed the government’s offer to hold talks to end the crisis. <br /><br />“We’re not only ready for dialogue with the regions but we’re ready to fulfill the lawful requirements and wishes of all of the citizens of our country,” said Yatsenyuk.<br /><br />For now it seems authorities have backed down from their threat of using force to end the occupation. <br /><br />Meanwhile, clashes erupted on Thursday night between pro- and anti-Russian protesters in Odessa leaving several people injured.<br /><br />The violence flared after pro-EU activists tried to prevent Party of Regions presidential candidate Oleg Tsarev from leaving his hotel.
