The US is considering imposing sanctions on Ukraine in order to put an end to the escalating political crisis. It also warned Ukraine not to use its armed forces against civilians.
As state department spokesperson Jen Psaki stated: "We are considering policy options... sanctions are included but I am not going to outline specifics. There is a range of options that we are open to, but we are not at that point at this stage."
US lawmakers also said they were considering denying visas to Ukrainian officials or to freeze their American assets if violence escalates at the protests.
Ukraine protests
Ukrainian citizens took to the streets, when the government decided to abandon efforts to enhance ties with the EU through a free trade and political association pact. However, police organized violent crackdowns to deal with protesters, leaving many demonstrators injured last week.
President Yanukovich has urged the authorities not use force against peaceful protests, and urged the opposition not to reject talks.
Ashton visits Ukraine
EU High Representative Catherine Ashton visited Ukraine and condemned the use of force against demonstrators. As she stated: “I want to say at the very beginning that I really do condemn the use of force, it's totally unacceptable… I really have two clear objectives in mind. The first, in the short term, to help to find a way out of this crisis and to help to support the dialogue that's necessary to achieve that. And then to think about the longer-term future of this country. Again, I go back to that same word, the importance of talking with each other and of ensuring that there is a real understanding of the way forward.”
She also added that the government should release all those who have been arrested and launch an investigation into violent police crackdowns.
The High Representative concluded saying: “We think, in the longer-term perspective, that this country looks for the same values that I, and the European Union, hold dear: the freedom of assembly, the basic human rights that people should have. We also believe in the strong economic relations between us… We will stay engaged because we actually care very much about your future. As a sovereign state, we believe you have choices that you can make and we hope that you will choose as part of that to have the strongest possible relationship with the European Union.”