Fears of break up of Ukraine ease with protest in east of the nation

A bid by regional leaders loyal to President Viktor Yanukovych to challenge the legitimacy of the national parliament appeared to founder, after thousands of protesters rallied in eastern Ukraine in support of the political changes in Kiev.

The meeting of governors of mainly Russian-speaking regions in the northeastern city of Kharkiv on Saturday had raised the possibility of a split in the vast former Soviet republic of 46 million. The leaders denied that was their intention.

In Kiev, the parliament passed a series of measures that would reduce the president's powers and pave the way to the formation of a national unity government and early presidential elections.

Mikhaylo Dobkin, governor of Kharkiv region in northeast Ukraine, told regional leaders meeting in the city: "We're not preparing to break up the country. We want to preserve it."

A resolution adopted at the meeting questioned the legality of the parliament's measures and assumed responsibility for safeguarding regional law and order because central powers were "paralysed".

Those sentiments were not echoed by many of Kharkiv's residents, however.

Around 3,000 protesters gathered in the city centre on Saturday, proclaiming their support for the new status quo.