A no-confidence motion brought by the main Ukrainian opposition has been defeated by parliament. The motion would have put more pressure on the government to resign, over the direction the country is taking in its foreign relations.
Ukraine has seen over 100,000 people protest against a government decision not to sign an association deal with the European Union. Clashes between police and protestors occurred over the weekend, with Prime Minister Mykola Azarov apologising for the violence meted out by security forces.
President Viktor Yanukovych’s government is close to the Kremlin and the protests were sparked by the call for closer ties to the EU rather than Russia.
Azarov said the protests were a failed coup attempt.
"We know that a plan is being prepared to seize the parliament,” while speaking to Western ambassadors on Monday.
"This has all the signs of a coup...
"That is very serious. We are patient, but we want our partners not to feel that everything is permitted."
The US dismissed the claims.
"We certainly don't consider peaceful demonstrations coup attempts," White House spokesperson Jay Carney said.