A group of protesters remained camped out on a central street in Kiev on Monday, a day after a large demonstration was held in the capital in defiance of the new legislation.

The Sunday protest turned violent when hundreds of protesters broke off from the main rally and marched toward the parliament building.

Police responded with stun grenades, tear gas and water cannon, but were outnumbered.

Many of the riot police held their shields over their heads to protect themselves from the projectiles thrown by demonstrators on the other side of a cordon of buses.

Dozens of police officers and protesters were injured in the clashes.

President Viktor Janukovych has promised to create a cross-party commission on Monday to find a solution to the crisis in the country.

In addition, the Ukrainian government is to hold talks with leaders of the opposition on the same day.

The new legislation, signed by Yanukovych on January 17, bans any unauthorized installation of tents, stages or amplifiers in public places.

According to the anti-protest laws, people and organizations that provided facilities or equipment for unauthorized meetings would be liable to a fine of up to USD 1,275, or detention of up to 10 days.

Ukraine has been rocked by anti-government protests since Yanukovych refrained from signing an Association Agreement with the EU at the third Eastern Partnership Summit in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, in late November2013, in favor of closer ties with Russia.

Instead, Kiev and Moscow reached a strategic economic and trade deal last December, which provides Ukraine with significant discounts on imported Russian gas and billions of dollars in credit.

RA/NJF