WASHINGTON
The White House struck out at the Ukrainian government’s continued clampdown on anti-government protesters in capital Kiev, which has left at least 36 dead and scores more injured.
“We are outraged by the images of Ukrainian security forces firing automatic weapons on their own people,” said White House Press Secretary Jay Carney in a statement released to the press.
He again called on Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to pull back security services from downtown Kiev, and urged the Ukrainian military not to get involved in the ongoing violence.
“The use of force will not resolve the crisis -- clear steps must be taken to stop the violence and initiate meaningful dialogue that reduces tension and addresses the grievances of the Ukrainian people,” said Carney.
The Press Secretary added that Washington would continue to work with its European allies to resolve the conflict, and bring those responsible to account.
Mass anti-government protests began in November, when President Yanukovych refused to sign a free trade agreement with the European Union in favor of maintaining stronger ties with neighboring powerhouse Russia.
Putin sends negotiator to Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent Moscow’s human rights ombudsman Vladimir Lukin to act as a mediator in meetings between the Ukrainian government and the opposition, the Kremlin said.
“At the request of the Ukrainian side, President Putin and President (Viktor) Yanukovych spoke on the telephone today. In their conversation, Yanukovych asked Putin to send a mediator to the meetings between government and opposition forces”, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday.
The Ukrainian government and opposition are engaged in negotiations to end the deadly clashes between protesters and security forces. Protests broke out in November when Yanukovych decided not to sign association and trade deal with EU in favor of signing some helpful deals with Russia.
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