Russia withdraws ambassador from Kiev

Source: BBC, Tanjug

KIEV -- As reported by the BBC, Russia has decided to withdraw its ambassador from Kiev, while EU High Representative Catherine Ashton is expected to arrive in Ukraine.

(Beta/AP, file)

According to this report, Russia made the decision because of the deteriorating situation in Ukraine.
Moscow has condemned the vote to dismiss Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, and the decision to withdraw its ambassador was also influenced by the statement of the interim president that he was turning toward the EU and not Russia, for which the Yanukovych "gave up" closer ties with Brussels.

Ashton will meet with key political stakeholders to discuss ways out of the crisis and measures for economic stabilization of the country, it was announced from her cabinet.

"The high representative is closely monitoring the situation in Ukraine and urges all parties to remain engaged in dialogue to find a sustainable solution and to preserve the unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine, in order to provide all citizens a prosperous and democratic future," the statement said.

The violence in the Ukrainian capital last week was the worst since the country gained independence in 1991. 82 people were killed, and 645 injured.

The Ukrainian parliament on Sunday voted to oust President Yanukovych, freed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko from prison, and decided to hold early parliamentary elections on May 25. Yanukovych, meanwhile, has said he did not intend to resign.

This morning in Kiev was peaceful, but a group of about 5,000 people gathered last night to peacefully protest against Tymoshenko's return to the political scene.