Respect Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty- China to EU
February 21, 2014, 5:24 am

An anti-government protester holds a crucifix as he prays at Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014 [AP]

While urging the international community to play a constructive role, Beijing warned against interfering in the “territorial” affairs of a nation, in a reference to the EU’s condemnation of the Kiev government.

“Different countries should mutually respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said reacting to media reports of EU imposing sanctions against Ukraine.

She said China hoped the international community can take an “objective, balanced and impartial stance”.

Protests against the government began when it back tracked from a proposed trade deal with the EU to turn closer towards Russia.

“We are worried about the violence and feel regret about the casualties during clashes,” the Chinese spokesperson said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had earlier in a phone conversation with German Chancellor Merkel said the West’s failure to notice the excesses of the opposition also aided the violence.

“Vladimir Putin also underlined that it is important for Western countries to give up their accusatory attitude towards Ukraine’s incumbent leadership and stressed the importance of strongly condemning the opposition forces liable for organising unlawful extremist and terrorist activities,” said the statement.

US State Secretary John Kerry said on Wednesday his government was considering sanctions against Ukraine in response to the violence there.

Earlier, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen warned Ukraine that its “ties with NATO will be seriously damaged”.

Meanwhile, a White House statement said US President Barack Obama has spoken to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and both are backing “a political solution that is in the best interests of the Ukrainian people”.

According to the statements by Polish Prime Minister Tusk, Ukrainian President Yanukovich has expressed willingness in talks with EU envoys to hold early elections this year.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday put out a statement calling on the international community to be objective and restrained when assessing the crisis, and to base their position on reliable and proven facts.

 Source: Agencies