Ukraine's president has agreed to meet with the country's three former presidents to talk about defusing the tense political crisis gripping the country.

Viktor Yanukovych said on his website that the meeting, labeled "a nationwide roundtable" will take place Tuesday.

Meanwhile, scores of riot police in full gear were deployed outside protest strongholds in Kiev, stoking fears of a crackdown.

Yanukovych is facing the biggest opposition protests since the 2004 Orange Revolution, after he chose to freeze ties with the EU and tilt toward Moscow.