KIEV, Feb. 5 - The European Union is ready to assign its senior officials as intermediaries in crisis settlement negotiations between the Ukrainian authorities and the opposition, opposition UDAR party leader Vitali Klitschko said after he met with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, European Commission Vice-President Catherine Ashton.

"We have discussed the Ukrainian situation. Most importantly, real steps towards settling the crisis must be taken so that the situation does not run out of control. I said the parliament must take a step within its power first, pass an act reinstating the 2004 constitution. That will help de-monopolize power in Ukraine," Klitschko said.