The US and Europe have clashed with Russia over the continuing turmoil in Ukraine. <br /><br />At a security conference in Munich, western leaders said that Moscow must not strong-arm Kiev into an unpopular alliance. <br /><br />US Secretary of State John Kerry said that America stands with the people of Ukraine. <br /><br />“The vast majority of Ukrainians want to <br />live freely in a safe and prosperous <br />country. And they are fighting for the right <br />to associate with partners who help them <br />realise their aspirations,” said Kerry.<br /><br />“And they have decided that that means <br />their futures do not have to lie with one <br />country alone and certainly not coerced.”<br /><br />In a tug of war, Russia’s foreign minister hit back – claiming the West was giving Ukraine no choice. <br /><br />“Why don’t we condemn those who seize and hold government buildings, attack the police, torch the police, use racist and anti-semitic and Nazi slogans?,” asked Sergei Lavrov. <br /><br />Western officials have been meeting with Ukrainian opposition leaders in Munich. Among those attending was boxer-turned-politician Vitaly Klitschko.<br /><br />Reporting from Munich, euronews correspondent James Franey said: “John Kerry said the US and the EU fully stand behind the people of Ukraine. But the country’s opposition leaders are looking for something more than that. <br /><br />“They hope to convince America and Europe that applying sanctions against the Yanukovich government would be the next logical step in solving the political crisis.”
