Efforts to resolve Ukraine's unrest in the capital Kiev by peaceful means are "futile", the interior ministry says.
Minister Vitaliy Zakharchenko said negotiations with the protesters had failed. He blamed "radical groups" for the unrest, adding protesters had arms.
The comments came as protesters tried to seize the energy ministry. Officials said it was "an act of terrorism".
Protests broke out in late November after the government's rejection of a planned treaty with the EU.
The crisis escalated this week when two activists were shot dead during clashes near the main protest camp on Kiev's Independence Square.
On Friday, anti-government demonstrations spread beyond the capital, with protesters now occupying several regional government buildings.
President Viktor Yanukovych earlier promised to make concessions to try to end the country's crisis.
He pledged to amend anti-protest laws and reshuffle the cabinet.
But opposition leader Vitaly Klitschko said the protesters now wanted the president to resign.
'Direct threat'
The interior minister said the opposition was no longer able to control "radical forces" and was putting civilians in danger.
"The events of the last days in the Ukrainian capital have shown that our attempts to solve the conflict peacefully, without recourse to a confrontation of force, remain futile," Mr Zakharchenko said in a statement on Saturday.
"Our calls have not been heeded and a truce is being violated."
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