European Leaders Criticize Ukraine For Violence Against Protesters

German Chancellor Angela Merkel called President Viktor Yanukovych, said she was "outraged"

European leaders slammed Ukraine's leaders over violence at anti-government protests, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel phoning President Viktor Yanukovych to say she was "outraged."

Ukrainian ambassadors were summoned to foreign ministries from Paris to Riga, with Czech Foreign Minister Jan Kohout telling the Ukrainian government to avoid the use of force, release detained protesters and abolish new anti-demonstration laws.

"We are very concerned -- and not only concerned, but outraged -- at the way in which these laws were pushed through and that they call into question these fundamental freedoms," Merkel said yesterday.