BRUSSELS, Jan. 14 - Europe shouldn't give up on Ukraine so long as it wants to "link up with the freedoms" seen in the European Union, according to the EU president.

Ukrainian protesters have taken to the streets of Kiev to protest a November decision by their government to suspend efforts to sign free trade and association agreements with the EU.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said Tuesday members of the EU were united in their support for the sovereign right of Ukrainians to decide their own future.