Ukraine president offers moratorium on force against protesters

KIEV, Ukraine, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Ukraine's president said Friday he may ban the use of force against protesters while the parliament considers a proposal to join the European Union.

President Viktor Yanukovych suggested the moratorium during a roundtable meeting with opposition leaders about the recent protests, Interfax-Ukraine reported.

The moratorium would be in place while the Ukrainian parliament studies the risks of signing an association and trade agreement with the European Union.

He also denied any plans to disperse the protesters, saying such reports were provocations.

Yanukovych's statements came as the United Nations urged restraint by all sides in the controversy.

"We are particularly concerned at reports of the use of excessive force by riot police and violent acts by some demonstrators," Ravina Shamdasani, a spokesperson for the Office of the High Commissioners for Human Rights, said in a statement.

The so-called Euromaidan protests began Nov. 21 in response to Yanukovych's last-minute decision to reject a trade and association agreement with the European Union and instead seek closer economic ties with Russia.

Opposition leaders had previously refused to sit down with Yanukovych until he fired his government and released all arrested demonstrators.

Euromaidan commandant Yehor Sobolev said opposition leaders decided to meet with Yanukovych after consulting with the public and Euromaidan activists.