Ashton to visit Kiev as tensions mount in Ukraine

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso Sunday spoke by phone with Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to reiterate the need for a political solution to the current tensions through dialogue with the opposition and civil society. He highlighted the need to respect civil freedoms and to exert maximum restraint, according to a statement from Barroso's office. He announced that the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton would travel to Kiev this week to support a way out of the political crisis. Meanwhile, thousands of protestors in Kiev demanded the resignation of the government for refusing to sign an agreement with the EU for closer ties. According to media reports, the protestors toppled a statue of Vladimir Lenin. Moscow wants Ukraine to join a customs union with Russia.