Ukraine: EU envoy Ashton meets president, opposition leaders

(Vatican Radio) European Union envoy Catherine Ashton has met Ukraine's president and the opposition in an attempt to end growing tensions over the former Soviet nation's European future. Her visit came while President Viktor Yanukovych urged the nation to remain calm amid growing protests against his rule. Listen:

"I am sorry to have kept you waiting," said EU foreign policy chief Ashton, who was eager to

meet Ukrainian opposition leaders, including former boxing champion Vitali Klitschko.


She also walked through an enthusiastic crowd.


Braving winter weather, thousands of Ukrainians are gathering in Kyiv's Independence Square to demand the resignation of President Yanukovich and his government.


They are wondering why Yanukovych ditched a trade deal with the European Union
in favour of closer ties with Russia.

Speaking earlier on television with three former presidents, Yanukovych tried to explain that Ukraine was in the middle of two fires.


“I am strongly against opposing relations with Europe in favour of relations with Russia and vice versa," sitting at a small round table with fellow former leaders.


"We need to find a way to co-exist. I think Europe will sleep peacefully in warmth if Ukraine has good relations with Russia, if there aren’t any conflicts like when the natural gas was turned off,” he said.


The EU's Ashton has been trying to mediate in the conflict.


Pro-EU protesters, who have been camped in Independence Square for over two weeks, don't want to give up their demonstrations despite the freezing cold.