EU's Ashton 'alarmed' by worsening security in eastern UKraine

The European Union foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said on Tuesday she was "alarmed by the worsening security situation in eastern Ukraine." "I am alarmed by the worsening security situation in Eastern Ukraine," she said in a statement. "The downward spiral of violence and intimidation undermines the normal functioning of the legitimate state institutions." She demanded an immediate release of those persons "being illegally detained by armed groups," and called on Russia to "take concrete action in support of the Geneva accord," which set out key steps to de-escalate tensions and restore security. "I notably condemn the shooting of Mayor of Kharkiv Henadiy Kernes yesterday and the detention of military observers from OSCE participating states in Slavyansk by armed separatists since last Friday," she added. Ashton made the remarks after the EU imposed travel bans and assets freeze on 15 Russian officials and Ukrainians on Tuesday. Russia criticized the new EU sanctions, saying the 28-nation bloc should be ashamed of itself.