France Condemns Deadly Clashes Outside Ukrainian Parliament

The French Foreign Ministry has condemned deadly clashes that broke out Monday outside the Ukrainian parliament, saying it was concerned that members of Ukrainian political parties were among the attackers.

PARIS (Sputnik) — Violence was sparked by a vote in the Ukrainian parliament, Verkhovna Rada, which backed the first reading of constitutional changes to grant greater autonomy to two east Ukrainian regions of Luhansk and Donetsk.

Police troops guarding the parliament building were attacked by a mob of nationalists, including members of the far-right Svoboda and Radical Party. One police officer was mortally injured in a grenade blast, while over 100 people were injured.

In a communique, the French foreign office said that, "France condemns the violence that accompanied the August 31 adoption by Rada of constitutional amendments concerning the decentralization of Ukraine."

"It is of concern that members of Ukrainian political parties took part in these events," the Ministry stated.

Paris expressed condolences to the bereaved family of the killed policeman and wished a speedy recovery to those injured, including a French journalist.

Ukraine’s decentralization and greater autonomy for Donetsk and Luhansk regions was stipulated by the Minsk peace agreement, which was signed by Kiev and militias in February. Constitutional reforms are to be passed before the end of 2015.