KIEV (AFP) - Ukraine's embattled President Viktor Yanukovych and opposition leaders were due on Friday to sign a preliminary deal aimed at ending the county's bloodiest crisis since independence, the presidency said in a statement.

"The parties agreed on the initialling of an agreement to resolve the crisis," the presidency said in a statement after a night of talks mediated by EU and Russia.

"The signing is expected at 12pm (1000 GMT)" at the presidency, the statement said. No details of the agreement were given.