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Ukraine unrest: Russia and EU clash at Munich summit Ukraine unrest: EU and US clash with Russia in Munich
(35 minutes later)
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. Ukraine's future has sparked angry exchanges at a summit in Munich.
European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said the "future of Ukraine belongs with the European Union". European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said the "future of Ukraine belongs with the EU" while US Secretary of State John Kerry said the US backed Ukraine's "fight for democracy".
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov asked why the EU was defending violent protests and attacks on police. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused those defending violent protests of double standards.
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.
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. 'Time on our side'
'Own path'
Mr Van Rompuy's opening speech at the summit referred to the EU's offer of close association with Ukraine.Mr Van Rompuy's opening speech at the summit referred to the EU's offer of close association with Ukraine.
"The offer is still there and we know time is on our side. The future of Ukraine belongs with the European Union," he said."The offer is still there and we know time is on our side. The future of Ukraine belongs with the European Union," he said.
Nato chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said: "Ukraine must have the freedom to choose its own path without extra pressure. Mr Kerry said: "Nowhere is the fight for a democratic, European future more important today than in Ukraine. The United States and EU stand with the people of Ukraine in that fight."
"Democratic principles and rule of law must be respected. Minorities must be protected and not persecuted." He said the vast majority of protesters "want to live freely in a safe and prosperous country - they want to associate with partners who want to realise their aspirations".
He condemned the "excessive use of force by the security forces". In an apparent swipe at Moscow, he added: "They do not want their future to be allied with one country alone and they do not want to be coerced."
But Mr Lavrov said that a "choice is being imposed [on Ukraine] and Russia is not going to be engaged in this". 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?"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 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 Saturday Mr Kerry is scheduled to meet Ukraine 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.
It was unclear whether Mr Kerry will meet Ukrainian Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara, who is at the summit.It was unclear whether Mr Kerry will meet Ukrainian Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara, who is at the summit.
Before arriving in Munich, Mr Kerry said that concessions from President Viktor Yanukovych had "not yet reached an adequate level of reform".Before arriving in Munich, Mr Kerry said that concessions from President Viktor Yanukovych had "not yet reached an adequate level of reform".
Mr Yatsenyuk, who heads the Batkivshchyna party, recently refused an offer from President Yanukovych to become PM, one of the concessions.Mr Yatsenyuk, who heads the Batkivshchyna party, recently refused an offer from President Yanukovych to become PM, one of the concessions.
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.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.
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.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.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.
Ukraine's interior ministry says it wants to interrogate him on suspicion of organising mass unrest, and to examine his account of torture.Ukraine's 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 now giving a joint talk, outlining the American approach for the year ahead. Mr Kerry and Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel have been giving a joint talk, outlining the American approach for the year ahead.
The BBC's Joan Soley in Munich says the message will be one of "diplomacy first" while remaining militarily prepared. The BBC's Joan Soley in Munich says the message is 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.