Pro-government rally planned in Kiev amid opposition protests

A pro-European Union activists works on a bonfire near a barricade in the Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine early Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013. Ukraine's president proposed an amnesty Friday for all protesters facing criminal charges in the country's wave of massive anti-government demonstrations. President Viktor Yanukovych made the offer at a round-table meeting that included three leaders of the opposition that has orchestrated more than three weeks of anti-government protests, flooding the streets of Kiev with hundreds of thousands of people. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky) (The Associated Press)

Remaining on duty overnight volunteers warm themselves at a bonfire at a Pro-European Union's tent camp in the Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013. The opposition has called for a vast turnout Sunday. Rallies on the previous two Sundays drew hundreds of thousands of protesters. That same day, Yanukovych's Party of Regions has called for a pro-government demonstration that it claims will bring 200,000 people to Kiev. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko) (The Associated Press)

KIEV, Ukraine – Ukraine's embattled leaders are planning to bring thousands of supporters to the center of Kiev to counter weeks-long street protests by the opposition.

Ukraine is facing a deep political crisis, with Kiev's central square dotted by barricades and tents as protesters call for the resignation of President Viktor Yanukovych. The demonstrations were sparked by his decision last month to freeze ties with the EU in favor of Moscow.

Negotiations between Yanukovych and opposition leaders brought few results Friday. Yanukovych offered an amnesty to protesters detained in the standoff, but the opposition demanded early presidential and parliamentary elections.

Humiliated by the constant presence of thousands of protesters in the center of the capital, government supporters planned a counter-rally Saturday on a nearby square.