Thousands of pro-EU protesters calling for the resignation of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich gathered outside parliament this morning, with opposition leaders pressing for a vote of no-confidence in his government.

Only days after a massive rally that brought 350,000 protesters into central Kiev, Yanukovich has left for China and will visit Malta next week while his country is plunged into crisis by his decision to spurn a landmark deal with the European Union and boost ties with Ukraine's Soviet master Russia.

Meanwhile, France has invited a senior figure in Ukraine's opposition, Vitaly Klitschko, to Paris to discuss a stand-off with the country's government.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told RFI radio he had sent a message to Klitschko, telling him he was prepared to meet him in Paris. He said he and President Francois Hollande had met Yanukovich at an EU summit last week in Vilnius.

In addition to political opposition, Yanukovich is under pressure from international markets, increasing the risk of a financial crisis that could force his hand.

Outside parliament, several thousand protesters holding EU and Ukrainian flags stood face to face with riot police. Prime Minister Mykola Azarov accused the opposition of planning to seize the building.

Protesters had blocked the entrances to the main government building on Monday, and Azarov said the government could not perform its basic functions, which could affect the payment of pensions and salaries.

"This has all the signs of a coup d'etat. This is a very serious matter," Interfax news agency quoted him as telling the ambassadors of the EU, United States and Canada.

Parliamentarian Hannah Herman, from Yanukovich's Party of Regions, said there was a possibility that some members of the party could vote against Yanukovich's government when the no confidence vote is held.