Ashton in Kiev: “Risk of a derailment from the crisis”

The High Representative will meet with President Yanukovich and the leaders of the protest movement: “Authorities abstain from further use of force”

Catherine Aston’s 2 days in Kiev, in an attempt to find a solution to the Ukrainian crisis, begin by indicating concern. According to the EU Foreign Policy Chief, there is risk of a “derailment from the crisis.”

“On the eve of my visit – she wrote last night – I am following the news frantically, which reported that the police forcibly entered the office of the largest opposition party – Patria.”  On the same day that President Yanukovych proposed to open a round table to unite the leaders of all the political forces and the 3 former Presidents of Ukraine, according to Ashton these events “seriously threaten to derail the process.”

During the visit Aston will meet, besides President Yanukovich, the leaders of the opposition and the representatives of civil society as well, including activists and protesters. “I appeal to the Ukrainian authorities to exercise the upmost restraint and refrain from any further use of force, in order to make room for a negotiated solution to overcome the current situation of political stalemate.”