EU Is Not Considering Sanctions against Ukraine

World | December 2, 2013, Monday // 18:07
EU Is Not Considering Sanctions against Ukraine: EU Is Not Considering Sanctions against Ukraine Pro-EU protests in Kiev, Ukraine, photo EPA/BGNES

The European Union does not consider sanctions against Ukraine and did not demand the resignation of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.

This was the announcement of the EC spokespersons in reply to the questions, regarding the protests in Kiev, Ukraine and the accompanying violence, reported the Bulgarian news agency BTA.

However, Maja Kocijancic, spokesperson of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, qualified the use of excessive force as completely unacceptable.

We urge all Ukrainians to resolve existing disputes peacefully,"' she added.

"The EU's door remains open and in the presence of the necessary conditions we are willing to re-negotiate with Kiev,'' said the EC spokesperson Pia Hansen.

"We will consider the signing of the Association Agreement when the Ukrainian authorities show willingness to fulfill the requirements," she added. "We were aware that we would not sign such an agreement at our meeting in Vilnius,'' Hansen claimed.

Kocijancic clarified that the requirements which Ukraine must meet for the signing of the agreement, including the provision of freedom of assembly and expression, remain in force.

"The European perspective of the countries of the Eastern Partnership (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine) is clear," Hansen added. According to her, the same proposal applies for Ukraine as well, but it can not be imposed.

Earlier, the health authorities in the Ukrainian capital reported that the number of injured, seeking medical care after the police action against demonstrators in Kiev on the night of Saturday has reached 165 people.

Dozens of thousands of citizens and university students have been staging mass rallies for over a week in Kiev against their President Viktor Yanukovych's refusal to sign the Association Agreement with the EU.

Ukraine made the decision on the EU deal over a week ago, saying it could not afford to break ties with Moscow. Russia is trying to bring Kiev into its own customs union.

It was reported meanwhile that the Ukrainian government is facing a no-confidence vote Tuesday on the request of the opposition.

Also on Monday, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry refuted reports the government was planning to declare an emergency situation.

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Tags: Verkhovna Rada, parliament, riot police, clashes, protest, European Union, EU, Ukraine, Kiev, President Viktor Yanukovych, Association Agreement, opposition, university students, no-confidence vote, emergency situation, Pia Hansed, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, spokesperson, Maja Kocijancic, Party of Regions

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