US threatens sanctions against Ukraine
Updated: 2014-01-20 10:28
(Xinhua)
|
|||||||||||
WASHINGTON - The White House threatened on Sunday to slap sanctions on Ukraine "in response to its use of violence" against protesters.
"The US will continue to consider additional steps -- including sanctions -- in response to the use of violence," National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said in a statement.
"We are deeply concerned by the violence taking place today on the streets of Kiev and urge all sides to immediately de-escalate the situation," she added.
Protesters on Sunday attacked riot police with sticks, fireworks and smoke bombs in central Kiev, Ukraine's capital, triggering another wave of clashes.
According to Ukraine's media reports, the protesters have tried to overturn one police car and torched another interior forces vehicle, which met with strong resistance from the police.
No causalities in the clashes have been officially confirmed so far. Urainian police has opened a criminal case into the incident.
The latest wave of protests came after the Ukrainian parliament approved a legislation on Thursday, banning some type of demonstrations. The bill is widely seen as "anti-protests law" and has sparked public criticism.
"The increasing tension in Ukraine is a direct consequence of the government failing to acknowledge the legitimate grievances of its people," Hayden said, urging the government to repeal the bill, withdraw the riot police from Kiev, and start a dialogue with the opposition.
In his first response to the violence, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych said on his website late Sunday that he has tasked a working group, headed by national security council head Andriy Kliuyev to "consider the issues regarding the settlement of political crisis."
Protests erupted in November after Ukraine backtracked on a partnership agreement with the European Union, a path toward an eventual membership of the bloc.
The US State Department said in December that sanctions on Ukraine were being considered.
Related Stories
Attack on reporter reignites Ukraine protest 2013-12-27 12:32
Protesters demanded Ukraine's interior minister resign 2013-12-26 22:11
Ukraine opposition urges more protests 2013-12-23 07:52
Today's Top News
Xi writes to Chinese in German colleges
China software to rival Android
Will China dominate the world?
Mainland policy lures HK students
Obama tells Germans he will not wiretap
Party is over for SOEs conferences
Egypt referendum wins support
Home prices continue to climb
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Entertainment: Console ban? |
Majoring in anti-money laundering |
Traditional skiing lives on as fur flies |
Shangri-la assets lost forever after town blaze |
US police all a-twitter about Weibo |
Movie mogul Run Run Shaw, 107, dies in HK |