Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich has called for an emergency session of parliament to be held early next week, amid escalating anti-government protests in the country.

The emergency session could consider the opposition’s call to dismiss the government. President Yanukovich sat down to a fresh round of talks with opposition leaders, which seemed to be the first signs of a willingness to make concessions.

However, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, who spoke on the sidelines of the Davos forum, has ruled out an early presidential election. He accused opposition protesters of trying to stage a coup.

Meanwhile on the streets of Kiev, protesters have largely ended their clashes with police on Thursday as main opposition leaders earlier urged them to refrain from violence for 24 hours until their ultimatum to the president expired.

Protesters have demanded the government step down, call early elections, and scrap harsh anti-protest legislation.