London, 18 February 2014

In the wake of the Ukrainian government’s lethal response to the protesters in Kiev’s Independence Square, the President of Liberal International, Hans van Baalen MEP, has realased the following statement:

Until today we heard stories of people being tortured or disappearing. Today we witness people being killed in Ukraine on government orders.

It should now be clear for President Yanukovich and people surrounding him that they no longer can continue to govern Ukraine under the current terms.

I send a message to those holding the power in Kiev and the Kremlin: respect the sovereignty of the people of Ukraine and their clear desire for genuine free democracy.

I call for united action from the EU, the Council of Europe, the OSCE and ODIHR to put in place a comprehensive roadmap that could assist Ukraine to hold elections urgently. Only a fresh democratic mandate from the Ukrainian people can now stabilise the country.