The United States condemns the violence by government authorities against peaceful demonstrators in Kyiv today. We urge Ukraine's leaders to respect their people's right to freedom of expression and assembly. These are fundamental to a healthy democracy and the respect for universal values on which the United States' partnership with Ukraine depends.

Consistent with the principles embodied by the OSCE, we call on the Government of Ukraine to foster a positive environment for civil society and to protect the rights of all Ukrainians to express their views on their country's future in a constructive and peaceful manner in Kyiv and in other parts of the country. Violence and intimidation should have no place in today's Ukraine.

We continue to support the aspirations of the Ukrainian people to achieve a prosperous European democracy. European integration is the surest course to economic growth and strengthening Ukraine’s democracy.