EU to impose sanctions on Ukraine

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso Wednesday expressed "shock and utter dismay" over the deaths of 25 people in clashes between police and pro-EU demonstrators in Kiev over last 24 hours in Ukraine. "There are no circumstances that can legitimise or justify such scenes. We condemn in the strongest terms the use of violence as a way to solve a political and institutional crisis. It is the political leadership of the country that has a responsibility to ensure the necessary protection of fundamental rights and freedoms," he said in a statement. "We have also made it clear that the EU will respond to any deterioration on the ground. We therefore expect that targeted measures against those responsible for violence and use of excessive force can be agreed by our Member States as a matter of urgency," added Barroso. On his part, European Parliament President Martin Schulz said "the Ukrainian authorities are about to lose all legitimacy. The current authorities in Ukraine need to make space for a transitional government of national unity and early elections in order to bring back the legitimacy of national authorities." "On the European Union side, what we need urgently is a threat of credible targeted sanctions against those involved in human rights violations. We also need a credible offer of important financial aid if the situation is resolved peacefully and a political solution is found," he said. The European Parliament is to debate the sitaution in Ukraine tomorrow, he added in a statement.