The EU has halted efforts to revive a landmark integration deal with Ukraine, amid growing doubts that any deal can be done with the country’s president Viktor Yanukovich and his current government.

The EU announcement on the suspension of talks came in a tweet from Stefan Füle, enlargement commissioner. Brussels and protesters in Kiev fear Ukraine will now move closer to Russia tomorrow, when senior officials from the two countries are expected to sign a “strategic agreement” to improve trade links – potentially inflaming demonstrators.

The developments came on the 25th day of mass protests sparked by Mr Yanukovich’s decision to back away from the EU deal, with both pro- and anti-government demonstrators taking to the streets in rival shows of strength. The anti-government protest yet again drew six-figure crowds, this time estimated at 200,000.