DHAKA: Ukrainian opposition leaders have issued an ultimatum to president Viktor Yanukovych, after talks failed to resolve the political stalemate.

Vitali Klitschko said he would lead pro-EU protesters ‘on the attack’ in the capital, Kiev, if the government refused to call snap elections.

Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said compromises ‘might be possible’, but the opposition should avoid ultimatums, reports the BBC.

Two activists were killed in clashes with police in Kiev on Wednesday.

Prosecutors confirmed they had died from gunshot wounds.

They were the first fatalities since the anti-government protests flared up in late November over Yanukovych’s decision to pull out of a landmark treaty with the EU.

Late on Wednesday, Ukraine’s Radio Liberty reported the death of a third activist.

The body of Yuri Verbitsky was found in a forest outside Kiev, bearing signs of torture, according to the broadcaster.

He had reportedly been abducted earlier this week with activist Igor Lutsenko, who was later released. Lutsenko is said to be in hospital.

Hundreds of people have been injured in the clashes, though some of the violence has been blamed on a little-known far-right group, Right Sector.

BDST: 1706 HRS, JAN 23, 2014