The European Union's foreign policy chief called Tuesday for Russia to assist Ukraine as the ex-Soviet state struggles to resolve its worst crisis since independence.
"It is very important that Russia as a very important neighbour of Ukraine also lends its support to ensure the country can move forward in a way it wishes to," Catherine Ashton told journalists during a two-day visit to Kiev.
She also stressed "the importance of the strong links btween Ukraine and Russia and the importance of having them maintained".
Ashton sought to ease Moscow's fears following a dramatic week of rapid-fire change in Ukraine that has seen the opposition-dominated parliament oust Kremlin-allied president Viktor Yanukovych after scores of people were killed when protests exploded into violence in Kiev.
The initial demonstrations were sparked when Yanukovych spurned a historic deal in November with the EU in favour of closer ties -- and a now-stalled $15 billion bailout -- from former master Russia.
"We offer support, not interference for the future," Ashton said after meeting with lawmakers and laying flowers at a shrine for dead anti-Yanukovych protesters.
Western countries have warned Moscow to respect Ukraine's territorial integrity after the Kremlin blasted its new leaders as mutineers, amid fears that the country's pro-Russian east could agitate for partition.
Interim leader Oleksandr Turchynov on Tuesday delayed the appoinment of a new interim unity government until Thursday as the country teeters on the brink of financial collapse.
Kiev has warned it needs $35 billion over the next year to avoid ruin and called on Western donors to step up to the plate urgently.
Ashton however offered no concrete commitments of economic assistance, saying only that the International Monetary Fund was "very keen" to meet the future new government.
"The new government needs to be inclusive and needs expertise and a credible economic plan and to restore law and order everywhere," she said.
She also urged "independent investigations" into last week's bloodbath after an arrest warrant was issued for fugitive president Yanukovych.
EU officials had said Monday that Brussels was not ready to sign the ground-breaking political and trade pact that was at the root of the crisis.
"I think our idea is that we must let a transition process go to its final point and once we have a government we will be ready to discuss again," Commission spokesman Olivier Bailly said.
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