Mr President, Kiev last week was an eye-opener. The camps seem entrenched, yet Mr Yanukovych had to burst into the Verkhovna Rada and arm-twist his party to get a vote his way, and the opposition leaders do not seem to lead much. Beware of the determined people in the Euromaidan, who say this is an essential fight and that it is about ditching not their Russian heritage but rather the corrupt oligarchic system - by conquering the rule of law, democracy and human rights.

Not just any deal will be sufficient to dismiss the Maidan, and already other cities in the east of the country are breaking free of fear in Euromaidans. A political solution to the crisis is needed, coupled with the release of political prisoners and missing persons. Accountability for the repressors and torturers will require a constitutional framework that ensures checks and balances and the prospect of presidential elections.

Neither Mr Putin nor anyone else is entitled to decide the destiny of the people of Ukraine: they alone can do that. The EU must act towards Ukraine on the basis of its values, principles and laws, and must speak with one voice. We call, in this resolution, for targeted sanctions, the freezing of assets in EU banks and the denial of visas to top Ukrainian officials and their oligarch sponsors who bear responsibility for repression and corruption and for obstructing a peaceful solution.

Time is running out for a negotiated solution to the crisis. After the Winter Olympics in Sochi, a crackdown might easily be orchestrated in reaction to any extremist provocation. EU citizens would then be badly hurt, with the bloodshed and the flow of refugees. Civil war or the division of Ukraine could spell war in Europe - another world war ...

(The President cut off the speaker)