European Parliament President Martin Schulz has called on the Ukrainian government "to listen to its citizens and not beat them."
In a statement, the text of which was passed to an Interfax-Ukraine
reporter in Brussels on Monday, Schulz said that he was concerned about
the situation in Ukraine.
“I am following the events in Ukraine with great concern,” Schulz said.
“Its authorities are not only ignoring the aspirations of many of its
citizens, but are quashing them with batons and tear gas when these
hopes are voiced on the streets with desperation. The excessive use of
force against peaceful demonstrators is unacceptable. The Ukrainian
authorities should listen to citizens and not beat them.”
In connection with this, the EP president urged the Ukrainian
government “to abide by its international commitments to respect the
freedom and expression and assembly.”
“The current crisis should be solved through dialogue among all political forces,” he said.
