World Responses

China Daily | Updated: 2014-02-20 07:45

The clashes in Ukraine's capital that led to at least 26 deaths have drawn sharp reactions from Washington, generated talk of possible European Union sanctions and led to a Kremlin statement blaming Europe and the West. Here is a roundup of some of the international reaction:

China

Beijing called on Wednesday for dialogue between Ukraine's different factions to restore social order after Tuesday's violence.

China hopes all sides will prioritize the interests of the nation, settle differences via dialogue and resume normal social order at an early date, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.

United States

Vice-President Joe Biden called Ukraine's president to express "grave concern" and to request that government forces pull back and exercise maximum restraint. The White House said Biden made clear that while the US condemns violence by all parties, the government bears "special responsibility to de-escalate the situation".

Russia

The Foreign Ministry blamed the West for the escalation of violence and called on the Ukrainian opposition to work with the government to find a way out of the crisis. "What is happening is a direct result of the conniving politics of Western politicians and European bodies," the ministry said.

Germany

Germany blamed the refusal of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to enter into serious dialogue to de-escalate the deadly violence as the three-month-old standoff continues.

"Ukraine has paid dearly for the delaying tactics of President Yanukovych," said Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier. "His refusal to hold serious talks about a peaceful conflict resolution and constitutional reform is a big mistake."

European Union

Governments in the European Union are expected to urgently agree to impose sanctions against those responsible for violence and excessive force in Ukraine, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said on Wednesday.

"We have made it clear that the EU will respond to any deterioration on the ground. We therefore expect that targeted measures against those responsible for violence and use of excessive force can be agreed by our member states as a matter of urgency," Barroso said.

United Nations

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed shock at the "unacceptable" violence and called for "the immediate renewal of genuine dialogue leading to rapid results", UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said. "Preventing further instability and bloodshed is a paramount priority."