Ukraine Protests: Demonstrators Topple Statue Of Lenin During Anti-Government March In Kiev (VIDEO)

WATCH: Ukraine Protestors Topple Lenin Statue
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Ukrainian protestors have toppled a statue of Lenin and smashed it with hammers as hundreds of thousands of people march against the government.

Demonstrators are demanding the resignation of President Viktor Yanukovych after the refused to sign a trade agreement with he EU in favour of closer ties with Russia.

People in the crowds gathered in Independence Square chanted: "Ukraine is Europe", reports the Guardian.

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The remains of the Lenin statue

Others took it in turns to smash the statue of Lenin - a potent symbol of Russia - with a sledgehammer.

The daughter of jailed former Prime Minister, Yulia Tymoshenko, read out a message from her to the crowds, reports the BBC.

She said: "We are on a razor's edge between a final plunge into cruel dictatorship and a return home to the European community.

"Don't give in, not a step back, don't give up, the future of Ukraine is in your hands."

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Bands entertained the crowds and Other speakers included former world boxing champion Vitali Kitchko, reports the Telegraph.

The protests are into their second week. Last weekend demonstrators stormed the city hall, ramming police lines with a digger.

Security forces responded with force with many journalists targeted and injured.

British travellers to Ukraine have been urged by the Foreign Office to avoid demonstrations which may turn violent.

The Council of Europe's Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland said the situation was of "great concern".

"I call upon all parties in Ukraine to refrain from violence and return to peaceful dialogue," he said in a statement Monday morning. He said help would be offered to "resolve the current difficult situation in line with the country's commitments under the European Convention on Human Rights and the principles of democracy, human rights and the rule of law".