White House says it is mulling sanctions on Ukraine over use of violent force on its citizens

On Thursday, the US government had called out the violent deaths of the citizens of Ukraine and said President Viktor Yanukovych should withdraw its security forces and respect its citizens' rights to protest peacefully.

Voice of America said in a report that the statement of the White House could mean that the administration under President Barack Obama is mulling over additional steps in response to the violence in the European state. This could include potential financial sanctions, all under an executive order. It is to note that the US has already imposed visa restrictions on Ukraine on Wednesday, which was done to target 20 Ukrainian government officials.

Deputy press secretary Josh Earnest had said that the latest violence, which resulted to several deaths of protesters at the Independence Square in Kyiv, signaled a sense of urgency to act. "Making a decision about sanctions, it can't just be knee-jerk action. It is important for us to consider the range of consequences that could ensue from applying sanctions. But again, there is a sense of urgency that is being felt because of the terrible violence we saw overnight."

VOA said Obama had discussed the tense situation in Ukraine with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and had agreed that both countries and the European Union should work closely to ensure violence in Ukraine would stop.

The Associated Press said that according to the top medic of the Ukrainian protesters, around 70 activists had been killed in the clash against the police, with 500 injured. Some of the killed protesters were reportedly shot by government snipers. The Interior Ministry of Ukraine also announced that three of their police officers were killed as well, with over 50 police personnel sent to the hospital to be treated for their injuries, with 30 of them have gunshot wounds. The ministry also added that 67 police officers were seized by protesters.

Tags

Ukraine Protests, President Barack Obama, Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych

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