Canada Shutters Kiev Embassy as Violence Escalates

Canada closed its embassy in Kiev on Wednesday after fierce clashes left at least 26 people dead in Ukraine, where anti-government protesters were locked in a stand-off with riot police.

"As a security precaution, and to ensure the protection of all staff, our mission in Kiev will be closed until further notice," foreign ministry spokesman Adam Hodge told Agence France Presse.

A day earlier, anti-government protesters entered the embassy's reception area seeking refuge.

Canada's foreign ministry had said: "We expect these individuals to be able to leave the embassy safely, free from intimidation, arrest or further harassment."

But officials would not say on Wednesday if the group was still being sheltered or had left.

Canada has a large Ukrainian diaspora -- there are 1.2 million Canadians of Ukrainian descent, according to the latest census.

Before the protests, Ottawa had been seeking closer ties with Kiev. On Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird announced medical supplies would be provided for the protesters.

A crackdown by Ukraine security forces on Tuesday triggered a storm of international condemnation, including talk of sanctions.

Overnight bloodshed came after some three months of mostly peaceful protests, which broke out after President Viktor Yanukovych ditched a pact with the European Union in favor of closer ties with former Soviet master Russia.