Ashton calls for respect for peaceful protest and wants to meet with Yanukovych again

12:44, 11.12.2013 1 min read

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton has met with civil society representatives and then stated her intention to meet with President Viktor Yanukovych again, journalist Mustafa Nayyem said live on Hromadske TV on Wednesday.

Ashton expressed her concern about the events at Maidan, Independence Square in Kyiv, noting that she spoke with Yanukovych on Tuesday about the non-use of force against demonstrators.

Ashton said that this is what she discussed with the Ukrainian president and what particularly concerned her is the fact that the government used force when she was in Kyiv.

"She expressed concern... Now she is meeting with ambassadors, and then she intends to have a meeting with President Yanukovych," Nayyem said

"Ashton particularly urged [protesters] to avoid non-peaceful actions in relation to the authorities," he added.

Civil society representatives, in particular, lawyers, suggested that Ashton consider imposing sanctions against Ukrainian officials.