Hundreds of angry Ukrainians clashed with riot police outside the government buildings in the capital Kiev.

Protests continued over the government's abrupt decision to cease wooing the European Union to boost relations with Moscow.

Demonstrators called for the government's removal and some of them clashed with riot police, throwing traffic cones and other objects at officers wearing gas masks and armed with rubber batons.

Police responded with tear gas and the opposition said that one protester had been injured in the confrontation.

The scuffle followed a protest in the heart of Kiev on Sunday that was the biggest since the so-called Orange Revolution in 2004 brought a pro-Western government to power.

Tens of thousands of people protested against President Viktor Yanukovych's sudden decision to halt plans to sign political association and trade deals with the EU despite years of preparations and promises.

The government said the economy would not survive a trade war with Russia after the Kremlin imposed restrictions on Ukrainian exports, threatening a blockade if the EU deal went ahead.

Kiev also blamed the International Monetary Fund for imposing stringent conditions for a bailout loan.

Another sticking point was the imprisonment of former premier Yulia Tymoshenko and the government's refusal to accede to EU pressure and free her.