European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton flies Monday to Kiev where she is expected ‘’to meet key stakeholders and discuss the support of the European Union for a lasting solution to the political crisis and measures to stabilise the economic situation,’’ her office announced.
Last Thursday, at an extraordinary meeting of EU Foreign Ministers on the crisis in Ukraine, Ashton called on all sides ‘’to continue engaging in a meaningful and inclusive dialogue leading to a lasting solution of the crisis, to protect the unity and territorial integrity of the country, to strive to ensure a stable, prosperous and democratic future for all Ukraine's citizens.’’
Ukraine's interim leadership pledged to put the country back on course for EU integration now that Moscow-backed president Viktor Yanukovich has been ousted and new elections are called for 25 May, the same day as EU citizens will vote in the European elections.
Acting President Oleksander Turchinov said Sunday that Ukraine's new leaders wanted relations with Russia on a "new, equal and good-neighbourly footing that recognises and takes into account Ukraine's European choice".
Russia said late on Sunday it had recalled its ambassador in Ukraine for consultations on the "deteriorating situation" in Kiev.
EU officials offered financial aid to the new government and to revive a trade deal that Yanukovich spurned under Russian pressure in November, sparking the anti-government protests that drove him from office after 82 deaths last week.