EU Vows to Help Ukraine Out of Political Crisis

The European Commission is ready to boost financial aid for Ukraine, confirmed EU enlargement commissioner Stefan Fule Wednesday.

At the same time, EU high representative for foreign affairs Catherine Ashton said the Union is ready to help in the investigation of bouts of violence that have erupted during recent massive protests in Ukraine.

Ashton, who is on an official visit to Kiev, said that she is pleased to see violence taming down, but is still concerned that perpetrators are not being brought to justice.

Speaking in front of the European Parliament, commissioner Fule said the EC stands behind a plan announced earlier this week to increase, together with the US, loans for Ukraine.

Protest in Kiev started in December 2013, when the Ukrainian government announced its decision to scrap an Association Agreement with the European Union, saying that it would prove gravely detrimental to the country's economy.

Although the treaty provided for a common market and the harmonization of Ukrainian legislation with EU law, it gives no commitments to Ukraine's future EU membership.