In Ukraine's eastern city of Luhansk, pro-Russian protesters reinforced their barricades on Thursday.

They're separatists, holed up in a handful of government buildings across several eastern cities for four days now.

They're demanding regional referendums on independence and closer ties to neighboring Russia.

(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN ON STAGE SAYING:

"Russia will never leave us in trouble. I also want to call on Putin to help us, the southeast of Ukraine. Those who don't want help should go to the west."

The central government in Kiev thinks the separatist crisis in its east could become a pretext for Russia to invade.

Acting President Oleksander Turchinov says his government is ready to immediately consider more self-rule for local councils.

And willing to grant protesters amnesty.

SOUNDBITE (Ukrainian) ACTING UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT OLEKSANDER TURCHINOV, SAYING:

"We guarantee there will be no criminal prosecution of p