Martial law a 'possibility' for Ukraine before deal

Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski (centre) with other delegates after the deal was agreed. Credit: Reuters

Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski was at the centre of negotiations between the Ukrainian government and opposition leaders.

Earlier in the day, the diplomat was overheard telling a Ukrainian opposition leader: "If you don't support this [deal] you'll have martial law, you'll have the army. You will all be dead."

He later told ITV News' Europe Editor James Mates that martial law in Ukraine was a "real possibility" and interior troops were being "readied" up until an agreement was signed.

The foreign minister told ITV News: "Well, as you can see it's almost miraculous. Within minutes of the agreement being signed the riot police are leaving."

The EU-brokered deal concluded that Ukraine will hold an early presidential election and will return to its 2004 constitution with reduced powers for President Yanukovich.

Read more: Ukraine president and opposition sign agreement