After the Franco-German Council of Ministers in Paris, Merkel stressed that the "shocking images" made her feel for "all the victims of violence" in Kyiv and elsewhere in the Ukraine. Now everything must be done in order to reopen a political dialogue. The questions concerning a transitional government and free elections need to be settled.

Germany and France, just as the European Union as a whole, are ready to "talk with everyone", including President Yanukovych if he is willing to do so.

Conversation with Putin

Wednesday evening, Chancellor Merkel had a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "We have agreed to continue to do everything in order to prevent a further escalation of violence", the Chancellor said afterwards. She also agreed with Putin to remain in close contact with Russia.

Reacting to the escalation in Kyiv, Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier traveled to the Ukrainian capital on Thursday morning with his Polish and French counterparts. The visit is taking place in consultation with EU High Representative Catherine Ashton.

Special EU Foreign Affairs Council

Ashton has scheduled an extraordinary EU Foreign Affairs Council for Thursday. The Ministers will meet in Brussels in order to adopt a common stance regarding the conflict in the Ukraine.

They will also discuss "what specific sanctions might be imposed if necessary", Merkel said. It is important to make clear that "we are serious when we say that the political process must resume and that we cannot simply tolerate what is happening", she added.