US welcomes release of all detained in Euromaidan protests in Ukraine, says US Department of State
The United States has welcomed the Friday's announcement in Ukraine of the release of all those detained in the Euromaidan protests and commends the opposition for their decision to vacate occupied government buildings.
"We consider this an important step to de-escalate tensions and create space for a peaceful, non-violent solution to Ukraine’s political crisis," reads a statement of the U.S. Department of State posted late on Friday, February 14.
"To further build confidence, we urge the government to cease all investigations, arrests, detentions, and prosecutions against demonstrators and civil society activists arising from Euromaidan-related protests. We are also gravely concerned over increasing intimidation of the media and Ukrainian civil society organizations that advocate for fundamental democratic principles and good governance," reads the report.
The next step in this process should be the formation of a multiparty technical government, with genuine power-sharing and responsibility, which can earn the confidence of the Ukrainian people and restore political and economic stability to Ukraine, the Department said.
"We encourage all sides to continue to de-escalate tensions and search for a peaceful, mutually acceptable compromise to the current crisis," reads the report.
