The hour of truth has come: EU must stand by the Ukrainian people

Guy Verhofstadt, ALDE leader, welcomes that the High Representative is calling the EU Foreign Ministers together on Ukraine on Thursday this week.

He said "Tomorrow's extra-ordinary meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council must focus on a reinforced EU response to the violence and crack-down in Ukraine.

The Foreign Ministers should focus on three initial elements:

- The urgent deployment of a High level EU mediation team to assist in the talks between the government and the opposition. This delegation should depart for Kiev as soon as possible and have a broad mandate and full political backing of the whole European Union.

- The introduction of targeted individual sanctions and asset freeze of those in charge of the violent crack-down. It is clear that President Yanukovych must be on this list, along with key ministers in his government.

- A coordinated strategy for urgent medical assistance inside or outside Ukraine for those wounded in the clashes.

These first steps must be accompanied by decisions on a substantial financial assistance and strong pressure to restore the access to the blocked media and TV channels in Ukraine.”