EU official heads to Ukraine amid protest stalemate By Laura Smith-Spark and Victoria Butenko, CNN January 24, 2014 -- Updated 1009 GMT (1809 HKT) EU envoy heads to Ukraine amid a stalemate in talks between government, opposition Protesters are strengthening barricades in central Kiev, state media reports Second round of talks between protesters and government end without a deal Ukraine's opposition demands resignation of the government and vows to stay in the fight Kiev, Ukraine (CNN) -- A senior European Union official is due in Ukraine on Friday amid a stalemate between the president and the opposition, and days of clashes between police and protesters. The commissioner for EU enlargement, Stefan Fule, is expected to arrive in the capital of Kiev as opposition leaders demand the resignation of the government and early elections. In a Twitter post, the EU said foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and a European Parliament delegation are also planning to travel to Ukraine next week. Meanwhile, anti-government protesters worked Friday morning to strengthen barricades set up in central Kiev streets, Ukraine's official Ukrinform news agency reported Friday. Ukrainian Interior Minister Vitaliy Zakharchenko was quoted by Ukrinform early Friday as saying that if protesters left the street where the violence has been focused, police would not use force on those rallying in Kiev's Independence Square, or Maidan. A second round of talks Thursday between President Viktor Yanukovych and opposition leaders was fruitless, although both parties decided to keep talking. Ukrainian anti-government protesters observed a truce of several hours with police to give the negotiations room for success. No to resignation Hundreds of protesters, who have been clashing with police in Kiev since Sunday, heard from boxer-turned-opposition-leader Vitali Klitschko after the talks with the President. "He said no to his resignation and Cabinet resignation," Klitschko told opposition supporters who want the government to resign and start early elections, among other demands. "It does not make sense to negotiate with someone who intends to cheat," he said. The sharp rhetoric was echoed by the President's press office, which issued a statement after the talks. "Unfortunately, for the second time, leaders of the opposition refused to declare the statement condemning extremist actions," it said. The President's statement went on to say that "negotiations will be continued." Sweeping anti-protest laws Prime Minister Mykola Azarov declined Thursday to apologize for the violence unfolding during the protests and told CNN's Richard Quest that law enforcement officers acted within the law and did not have firearms. Thousands of protesters have been braving the freezing cold to voice their anger against sweeping new anti-protest laws approved by parliament last week. The controversial protest laws have sparked concerns they could be used to put down demonstrations and deny people the right to free speech. READ: Is Ukraine becoming a dictatorship? READ: Tense standoff in Kiev as leader orders talks Journalist Victoria Butenko reported from Kiev and CNN's Laura Smith-Spark wrote in London. January 23, 2014 -- Updated 1636 GMT (0036 HKT) At least four people have been shot dead and hundreds injured as demonstrators clash with police over new laws limiting the right to protest. January 22, 2014 -- Updated 2127 GMT (0527 HKT) Becky Anderson speaks to Ukrainian opposition leader Vitali Klitschko about their ongoing protests in Kiev. December 13, 2013 -- Updated 1827 GMT (0227 HKT) Ukraine has been hit by protests during the past few weeks, as the country finds itself split between the rest of Europe and Russia. December 26, 2013 -- Updated 2259 GMT (0659 HKT) Video of Ukranian journalist Tetiana Chornovol in the hospital shows her explaining why she thinks she was beaten by armed men. December 21, 2013 -- Updated 0035 GMT (0835 HKT) Despite appearances to the contrary, the West doesn't have a Ukraine problem, writes Al Larson, former U.S. ambassador to the OECD. December 8, 2013 -- Updated 2306 GMT (0706 HKT) Protesters knocked down a statue of Vladimir Lenin as outrage mounted over the government's push for closer ties with Russia. December 16, 2013 -- Updated 0726 GMT (1526 HKT) A Ukrainian singer entertains the crowds during the protests in Kiev. December 4, 2013 -- Updated 1443 GMT (2243 HKT) The Ukraine government's decision to suspend talks with the EU has sparked the biggest protests since the 2004 Orange Revolution. Have you witnessed the protests in Ukraine? Send us your images and video, but please stay safe.