“These are terrible pictures that have been emerging from the Ukrainian capital overnight. This morning’s reports of deaths are devastating. I can understand the Opposition’s sense of frustration, when they have been feeling for days and weeks that nothing is changing, that the Government and the President have not given any meaningful ground.

That said, we hold and will stand by the view that violence is not a solution. We direct that message to both sides. To President Yanukovych, however, we also clearly state that it will not do to make the response of Ukraine’s leaders a violent one that brings more people to harm. The Government has a duty to protect the peaceful demonstrations.”