The Ukrainian government still has a chance to guide the country toward a European future, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland has said.

Speaking to journalists following a meeting with Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych on Wednesday, Nuland said she made it clear that the U.S. believes Ukraine's European future could still be saved and would like to see the president moving in this direction.

To attain this end, the Ukrainian leadership should take immediate steps to ensure security and resume negotiations with Europe and the International Monetary Fund, she said.

Nuland added she hoped that, following her conversation with Yanukovych, he knows what to do.

The world is following the events in Ukraine and wants to see its future better than it is now, Nuland said.