European Union governments are expected to urgently agree sanctions agree sanctions against those responsible for violence and use of excessive force in Ukraine, the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, said on Wednesday.
EU Foreign Ministers are expected to meet Thursday in Brusses to discuss the violence in Kiev and possible sanctions.
Fighting broke out in the Ukrainian capital on Tuesday when riot police confronted anti-government demonstrators as they marched toward the parliament building in the centre of Kiev. At least 25 people were reportedly killed, including one policeman.
The march was designed to put pressure on the parliament speaker to introduce a motion on constitutional reform into the order of the day.
"We have made it clear that the EU will respond to any deterioration on the ground. We therefore expect that targeted measures against those responsible for violence and use of excessive force can be agreed by our member states as a matter of urgency," Barroso said in a statement.
"We call on all sides to immediately put an end to the violence and engage into a meaningful dialogue, responding to the democratic aspirations of the Ukrainian people," he said.
EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton also issued a statement: “I condemn all use of violence, including against public or party buildings. Political leaders must now assume their shared responsibility to rebuild trust.” "I am also very concerned about the ultimatum to stop this by force."
"I urge the leadership of Ukraine to address the root causes of the crisis,’’ she said.
She continued, "A solution should include the formation of a new inclusive government, progress on constitutional reform and the preparation for transparent and democratic presidential elections. The EU stands ready to assist Ukraine in this process."
French Foreign Minister said : "We are not going to remain indifferent. France intends to act,’’ he said.
"There can be a range of sanctions, notably individual ones against those behind the violence.Those responsible cannot remain unpunished. We'd like to work with the Germans on the idea of sanctions at EU level," he added.
The crisis in Ukraine erupted last November since Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich decided to pull out of a major trade pact with the European Union under Russian pressure, provoking mass protests.