Anti-democratic laws rushed through the Ukrainian parliament have paved the way for the escalation of violence, said Steffen Seibert. These laws mark a radical departure from European values, and have further exacerbated the situation.

Steffen Seibert called again on the Ukrainian parliament to reconsider the new laws that restrict freedom of opinion and freedom of assembly. It is still up to Ukraine’s politicians, "to revise these hasty decisions and to protect freedom of assembly and freedom of opinion rather than limiting them as these laws do".

All those in Ukraine who are demonstrating peacefully for their basic democratic rights deserve our solidarity. Their voices must be heard, said Steffen Seibert.

On 16 January the Ukrainian parliament rushed through an extensive package of laws, giving the government legal powers to step up repression.

As a result of this change of the law, massive demonstrations were held last weekend in Kyiv. About 100,000 people gathered to protest and demand clear prospects from the opposition leaders. There were many injuries on both sides. Security forces’ buses were torched.

After talks between opposition leader Wladimir Klitschko and Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych a commission led by Andriy Klyuyev, Head of the National Security Council, is now to investigate events.

German government condemns violence

The German government condemns all violence no matter what side is the perpetrator, said the federal government spokesman. He called on all sides to renounce violence and enter into a constructive dialogue.

The possible impacts on the EU’s cooperation with Ukraine are also on the agenda of the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.

Yanukovych’s route a blind alley says Frank-Walter Steinmeier

Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier also called on the Ukrainian leaders on Friday to correct their course. "The route taken yesterday by President Yanukovych is a dead end. Restricting civil rights would only distance Ukraine further from Europe."

"I am certain that a majority of the Ukrainian people want an open future for their country, in which choosing Europe is still an option," he continued. "We expect the political leadership in Kyiv to ensure that political debate is not obstructed by administrative means or prosecuted in the courts following the rejection of Ukraine’s pro EU course." Repression cannot be the response to a politically contentious debate.