Sweden's Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and his Polish counterpart Radoslaw Sikorski urge all sides involved to keep protests in Kyiv peaceful, a joint statement says.

"We urge all to keep protests in Kyiv peaceful. The peaceful nature of the protest is a true manifestation of European determination. We are convinced that the Ukrainian people will realize their dream of a European future," the statement says.

The ministers say that as the initiators of the Eastern Partnership, they are impressed that so many Ukrainians are braving the cold to protest their president's abrupt decision to withdraw from signing the Association Agreement with the European Union.

"The European Union remains prepared to sign the agreement as soon as President Yanukovych is ready to do so, and has pledged to help Ukraine implement its provisions. But in the absence of any evidence of economic reform, we will not be drawn into a meaningless bidding war over Ukraine's future," the statement says.

The ministers also say they agree with Presidents Van Rompuy and Barroso: "It is up to Ukraine to freely decide what kind of engagement it seeks with the European Union. We therefore strongly disapprove of the Russian position and actions."

"We join them in expressing our support for Ukraine's sovereignty," the two ministers said in the joint statement.