Kerry: Ukraine should be free to align with Europe ...

MUNICH (AP) :

United States (US) Secretary of State John Kerry said Saturday that Ukraine, confronting a political crisis and massive anti-government protests, should be free to align with Europe if it wants and not feel coerced by more powerful neighbours such as Russia.

"Nowhere is the fight for a democratic, European future more important today than in Ukraine," Kerry said at a security conference in Munich. "While there are unsavoury elements in the streets in any chaotic situation, the vast majority of Ukrainians want to live freely in a safe, prosperous country."

In a meeting later with opposition leaders, Kerry affirmed US support for "the democratic, European aspirations" of Ukrainians and the leaders' efforts "to speak out to defend democracy and choice," according to the State Department. He urged the opposition to keep up talks with the government.

political prisoners

The department said Kerry also told Ukraine's foreign minister, Leonid Kozhara, to release political prisoners, address the deteriorating human rights situation, safeguard democratic principles and form a "technical government" that can address the country's economic problems and European aspirations of its citizens.

The crisis in Ukraine began after President Victor Yanu-kovych backed out of an agreement to deepen ties with the European Union in favour of getting closer to Russia. Protests quickly came to encompass a wide array of discontent over corruption, heavy-handed police and other grievances.