Douglas Alexander MP, Labour’s Shadow Foreign Secretary, calling for Britain to support targeted EU measures on Ukraine today ahead of an emergency EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels, said:

“I am appalled by the violence and loss of life in Kiev, and if urgent action is not taken then I fear that the death toll will continue to rise.

“The priority must be for an end to the bloodshed, and the Ukrainian authorities bear a heavy responsibility to help de-escalate this crisis and to fully respect the apparent truce signalled last night.

“The EU must also be prepared to act. So today I am urging the British government to agree proposals for urgent and targeted measures against those behind the repression we are witnessing on the streets of Kiev.

“Today will see an emergency meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, as well as a visit by the French and German foreign ministers to Kiev. I hope that agreement can be reached by the EU on such measures with Britain’s full support.”

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