WATCH: (Scroll Down For Video) The Ukrainian prime minister was given a bouquet of roses by his rival Oleh Barna, before he was lifted from the podium with a crotch grab.
The country’s other top leaders then started throwing punches as a major brawl erupted between MPs.
Earlier Yatsenyuk, leader of the People’s Front party, had just been asked if he would resign in the wake of unpopular reforms.
More than 1,000 union representatives demonstrated outside the parliament in Kiev where the country’s leader is due to review the government’s annual performance later today.
When asked if he would step down, Yatsenyuk said: “I will accept any decision of the Ukrainian parliament. I am not holding on to the premier’s seat.
“I knew my rating would be affected but I came to office not because of the rating.”
Barna, a member of President Petro Poroshenko’s bloc, walked over to the PM, presented him with roses, then grabbed him around the waist and groin, lifting him off his feet and dragging him from the rostrum.
Members from Yatseniuk’s People Front party waded in, pushing Barna and throwing punches. Lawmakers from Poroshenko’s bloc joined the fray and an angry brawl ensued for several minutes before deputies returned to their seats.
