US condemns Kiev violence

US officials are “outraged” by the images of Ukrainian security forces firing automatic weapons on their own people, White House press secretary Jay Carney said on Thursday.

“We urge President (Viktor) Yanukovych to immediately withdraw his security forces from downtown Kiev and to respect the right of peaceful protest, and we urge protesters to express themselves peacefully,” Carney said in a statement released by the White House.

“We urge the Ukrainian military not to get involved in a conflict that can and should be resolved by political means,” he said.

“The use of force will not resolve the crisis. Clear steps must be taken to stop the violence and initiate meaningful dialogue that reduces tension and addresses the grievances of the Ukrainian people.”