Riot police catch fire in Ukraine during a massive anti-government rally that's taking place here in Kiev.

Violent clashes carry on into the night, after a day of fighting between protesters and riot police. All this after tough anti-protest legislation was rushed through parliament last week.

But it wasn't enough to silence the protesters.

Now, the opposition says President Viktor Yanukovich may be willing to talk.

(SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN OPPOSITION LEADER, ARSENY YATSENYUK, SAYING:

"A few minutes ago I received a phone call from President Viktor Yanukovich. They are declaring that they are willing to start a negotiation process."

It's the biggest protest of the new year. Public rallies have become the norm since November, when Yanukovich decided to pull away from the European Union to build closer policy ties with the Soviet Union -- formerly, the country's motherland.