BRUSSELS (AP) – The European Union on Tuesday expressed concern about the political turmoil in Ukraine and urged all sides to show responsibility and moderation.
Germany, which holds the rotating EU presidency, called on Ukrainian leaders to “settle their current differences on domestic policy in a manner which complies with the constitution and democratic rules.”
“This requires moderation and a willingness to reach political compromise from all those involved,” Germany said in a statement on behalf of the EU.
The statement added that the EU hopes the current turmoil will not harm relations between the 27-nation bloc and Ukraine.
A dispute between Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych and pro-Western President Viktor Yushchenko has plunged Ukraine into the most serious political crisis since the 2004 Orange Revolution. Thousands of the prime minister’s supporters streamed into the Ukrainian capital Tuesday to protest the president’s order to dissolve parliament and call early elections.
The political instability has provoked concern in the EU over a neighbor that is becoming increasingly important as a transit route for western Europe’s oil and gas supplies from Russia and the Caspian region.
Although the EU is negotiating closer economic and political ties with Ukraine, it has rebuffed Ukraine’s requests to be considered as a candidate for EU membership.
