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Ukraine unrest: Kerry to meet opposition at summit Ukraine unrest: Russia and EU clash at Munich summit
(about 2 hours later)
US Secretary of State John Kerry is due to meet top Ukrainian opposition leaders on the sidelines of a security summit in Munich, amid continuing unrest in the country. The issue of Ukraine's future has sparked heated debate at a security summit in Munich, with Russia accusing the European Union of double standards.
Mr Kerry said his message would be one of full support. European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said the "future of Ukraine belongs with the European Union".
On the eve of the meeting, one key opposition figure, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, demanded more help from the West. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov asked why the EU was defending violent protests and attacks on police.
Ukraine has been in turmoil since November, when it scrapped an EU accord in favour of a Russian bailout.Ukraine has been in turmoil since November, when it scrapped an EU accord in favour of a Russian bailout.
The BBC's Duncan Crawford in Kiev says there is no sign of an end to anti-government protests in the capital and across other regions of Ukraine. US Secretary of State John Kerry is due to meet top Ukrainian opposition leaders on the sidelines of the summit. Mr Kerry said his message would be one of full support.
He says the issue of Dmytro Bulatov, a protester who says he was kidnapped and tortured and who is now in hospital in the capital under guard from both police and anti-government demonstrators, continues to cause alarm and anger. 'Own path'
Marshall Plan Mr Van Rompuy's opening speech at the summit referred to the EU's offer of close association with Ukraine.
The Bulatov issue will be one of the items on the agenda when Mr Kerry meets opposition leaders said to include Mr Yatsenyuk, boxer-turned-politician Vitaly Klitschko, legislator Petro Poroshenko and pop star Ruslana Lyzhychko. "The offer is still there and we know time is on our side. The future of Ukraine belongs with the European Union," he said.
On Friday, Mr Kerry said: "Our message to Ukraine's opposition will be the full support of President Obama and of the American people for their efforts. Nato chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said: "Ukraine must have the freedom to choose its own path without extra pressure.
"But we will also say to them that if you get that reform agenda... we would urge them to engage in that because further standoff, or further violence that becomes uncontrollable, is not in anybody's interests." "Democratic principles and rule of law must be respected. Minorities must be protected and not persecuted."
He condemned the "excessive use of force by the security forces".
But Mr Lavrov said that a "choice is being imposed [on Ukraine] and Russia is not going to be engaged in this".
He asked: "What does incitement of violent street protests have to do with the promotion of democracy? Why do we not hear condemnation of those who seize government buildings and attack police and use racist, anti-semitic and Nazi slogans?"
Mr Lavrov said European Union nations would not tolerate such actions in their own countries.
Mr Kerry is scheduled to meet opposition leaders said to include Arseniy Yatsenyuk, boxer-turned-politician Vitaly Klitschko, legislator Petro Poroshenko and pop star Ruslana Lyzhychko.
On Friday, Mr Kerry said: "Our message to Ukraine's opposition will be the full support of President Obama and of the American people for their efforts."
The White House has confirmed it is discussing possible sanctions against Ukraine with the US Congress.The White House has confirmed it is discussing possible sanctions against Ukraine with the US Congress.
Ahead of a late Friday meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Mr Kerry said he would try to persuade Moscow that an agreement in Ukraine was in its interest. It was unclear whether Mr Kerry will meet Ukrainian Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara, who is at the summit.
Russia has warned the EU and other Western powers not to meddle in the Ukrainian crisis. Before arriving in Munich, Mr Kerry said that concessions from President Viktor Yanukovych had "not yet reached an adequate level of reform".
It was unclear whether Mr Kerry would meet any representatives of the Ukrainian government in Munich. Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara is at the summit. Mr Yatsenyuk, who heads the Batkivshchyna party, recently refused an offer from President Yanukovych to become PM, one of the concessions.
After talks with German President Joachim Gauck and Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Friday, Mr Yatsenyuk said: "Our German partners expressed their words of support to the Ukrainian people in their fight for freedoms and liberties." President Yanukovych, who is currently on sick leave, has also tried to ease the crisis by repealing anti-protest laws, signing an amnesty for protesters and accepting the resignation of his cabinet.
He added: "Ukraine desperately needs a Marshall Plan and not martial law in order to stabilise the political and economic situation in the country."
The Marshall Plan was the post-World War Two US aid programme for Europe.
Mr Yatsenyuk, who heads the Batkivshchyna party, recently refused an offer from Viktor President Yanukovych to become prime minister, one of a number of concessions offered to try to end the unrest.
Before arriving in Munich, Mr Kerry said that offers from President Viktor Yanukovych had "not yet reached an adequate level of reform".
President Yanukovych, who is currently on sick leave, has tried to ease the crisis by repealing anti-protest laws, signing an amnesty for protesters and accepting the resignation of his cabinet.
However, opposition leaders are calling for his resignation and early elections.However, opposition leaders are calling for his resignation and early elections.
One key issue for Mr Kerry and the opposition leaders will be the issue of Ukraine protester Dmytro Bulatov.
He says he was kidnapped and tortured and is now in hospital in Kiev under guard from both police and anti-government demonstrators.
Both White House spokesman Jay Carney and EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said they were "appalled" by the apparent signs of torture on Mr Bulatov.Both White House spokesman Jay Carney and EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said they were "appalled" by the apparent signs of torture on Mr Bulatov.
The 35-year-old activist, who went missing for eight days, said he had been "crucified" by his captors. He did not know who had abducted him but said they had spoken with Russian accents.The 35-year-old activist, who went missing for eight days, said he had been "crucified" by his captors. He did not know who had abducted him but said they had spoken with Russian accents.
Our correspondent says there was a standoff overnight at the hospital between police who want to question him and anti-government protesters concerned that he would be taken away. Ukraine's interior ministry says it wants to interrogate him on suspicion of organising mass unrest, and to examine his account of torture.
The interior ministry says it wants to interrogate him on suspicion of organising mass unrest, and to examine his account of torture.
'Uncertain future''Uncertain future'
The security conference is an annual event held to discuss military and political affairs.The security conference is an annual event held to discuss military and political affairs.
Mr Kerry and Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel are expected to give a joint speech on Saturday, outlining the American approach for the year ahead. Mr Kerry and Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel are now giving a joint talk, outlining the American approach for the year ahead.
The BBC's Joan Soley in Munich says it will be a message of "diplomacy first" while remaining militarily prepared. The BBC's Joan Soley in Munich says the message will be one of "diplomacy first" while remaining militarily prepared.
One US official told her there was "an uncertain future, security-wise".One US official told her there was "an uncertain future, security-wise".
Syria, Iran and the East Asia will be high on the agenda for all participants.Syria, Iran and the East Asia will be high on the agenda for all participants.