The violence by Ukrainian government authorities against peaceful demonstrators in Kiev over the weekend was "unacceptable," White House press secretary Jay Carney said on Monday. "While we note that the police have generally exercised restraint since then, there have been a number of disturbing reports of journalists and members of the media being targeted and assaulted by security forces," Carney said during a briefing. "We urge Ukraine's leaders to respect their people's right to freedom of expression and assembly," he said. "These are fundamental to a healthy democracy and the respect for universal values on which the United States' partnership with Ukraine depends." Consistent with the principles embodied by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, "we call on the government of Ukraine to foster a positive environment for civil society and to protect the rights of all Ukrainians to express their views on their country's future in a constructive and peaceful manner in Kiev and in other parts of the country" Carney said. "Violence and intimidation should have no place in today's Ukraine. "We continue to support the aspirations of the Ukrainian people to achieve a prosperous Europe democracy," he added. "European integration is the surest course to economic growth and to strengthening Ukraine's democracy."