The European Union ambassador in Kyiv has warned Ukraine's authorities against the use of violence against peaceful demonstrators and called for a negotiated settlement of the current political crisis in the country.

In a statement released on Monday, Jan Tombinski, head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine, expressed anxiety at current developments in Kyiv and urged Ukraine's government to avoid the unjustified use of force against peaceful demonstrators.

Citing Ukraine's international commitments, he urged the government to respect freedom of opinion and freedom of assembly.