They have been on the streets of Kiev for weeks. Demonstrations -- sometimes violent violent -- erupted late last year when the government made an about face backing away from an EU deal in favor of Russia.

While President Viktor Yanukovich is staying on the Prime Minster has handed over power and cabinet has resigned

Now the former Ukrainian President Leonid Kravchuk says the country is on the brink of civil war.

. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) FORMER UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT LEONID KRAVCHUK, SAYING:

"The situation is, frankly, very dramatic. All the world acknowledges and Ukraine acknowledges that the state is on the verge of civil war."

Last December Russia offered a 15 billion bailout deal to Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin says his country will honor the agreement.

(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT, VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING:

"I would like to point out to the government what's worrying our Ukrainian friends, namely the necessity of