Yanukovych, Barroso discuss about situation in Ukraine

Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych Monday called European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso to discuss developments in Ukraine following big demonstrations in Kiev to protest refusal by the Kiev government to sign an agreement for closer ties with the EU.

Barroso called on all sides to show restraint, and said all civil rights and liberties should be respected and the use of force by police should be investigated as soon as possible.

Barroso also told Yanukovych that it was important the Ukrainian authorities urgently engage with all relevant political forces, and that a peaceful and political solution was the only way for Ukraine out of the current situation.

Yanukovych agreed with this approach and explicitly confirmed the intention to investigate into the use of force by the Ukrainian police and to inform the public about the results.