Anti-government protests in Ukraine show no sign of coming to an end
The issue of Ukraine's future has sparked heated debate at a security summit in Munich, with Russia accusing the European Union of double standards.
European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said the "future of Ukraine belongs with the European Union".
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov asked why the EU was defending violent protests and attacks on police.
Ukraine has been in turmoil since November, when it scrapped an EU accord in favour of a Russian bailout.
US Secretary of State John Kerry is due to meet top Ukrainian opposition leaders on the sidelines of the summit. Mr Kerry said his message would be one of full support.
The BBC's Duncan Crawford in Kiev says there is no sign of an end to anti-government protests in the capital and across other regions of Ukraine.
He says the issue of Dmytro Bulatov, a protester who says he was kidnapped and tortured and who is now in hospital in the capital under guard from both police and anti-government demonstrators, continues to cause alarm and anger.
Marshall Plan
Mr Van Rompuy's opening speech at the summit said that Ukraine's "destiny is still in the balance" and that all leaders knew the events in Kiev were a matter of concern.
"The future of Ukraine belongs with the European Union," he said.
Nato chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said: "Ukraine must have the freedom to choose its own path without extra pressure.
"Democratic principles and rule of law must be respected. Minorities must be protected and not persecuted."
John Kerry said he would try to persuade Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov a resolution in Ukraine was in Moscow's best interests
Opposition activists guard a private hospital in Kiev treating activist Dmytro Bulatov
But Mr Lavrov said that a "choice is being imposed [on Ukraine] and Russia is not going to be engaged in this".
He asked: "What does incitement of violent street protests have to do with the promotion of democracy? Why do we not hear condemnation of those who seize government buildings and attack police and use racist, anti-semitic and Nazi slogans?"
Mr Kerry is scheduled to meet opposition leaders said to include Arseniy Yatsenyuk, boxer-turned-politician Vitaly Klitschko, legislator Petro Poroshenko and pop star Ruslana Lyzhychko.
On Friday, Mr Kerry said: "Our message to Ukraine's opposition will be the full support of President Obama and of the American people for their efforts.
"But we will also say to them that if you get that reform agenda... we would urge them to engage in that because further standoff, or further violence that becomes uncontrollable, is not in anybody's interests."
The White House has confirmed it is discussing possible sanctions against Ukraine with the US Congress.
Ahead of a late Friday meeting with Mr Lavrov, Mr Kerry said he would try to persuade Moscow that an agreement in Ukraine was in its interest.
It was unclear whether Mr Kerry would meet any representatives of the Ukrainian government in Munich. Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara is at the summit.
After talks with German President Joachim Gauck and Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Friday, Mr Yatsenyuk said: "Our German partners expressed their words of support to the Ukrainian people in their fight for freedoms and liberties."
He added: "Ukraine desperately needs a Marshall Plan and not martial law in order to stabilise the political and economic situation in the country."
The BBC's Mariko Oi: "Shocking images of one anti-government protester"
The Marshall Plan was the post-World War Two US aid programme for Europe.
Mr Yatsenyuk, who heads the Batkivshchyna party, recently refused an offer from President Viktor Yanukovych to become prime minister, one of a number of concessions offered to try to end the unrest.
Before arriving in Munich, Mr Kerry said that offers from President Viktor Yanukovych had "not yet reached an adequate level of reform".
President Yanukovych, who is currently on sick leave, has tried to ease the crisis by repealing anti-protest laws, signing an amnesty for protesters and accepting the resignation of his cabinet.
However, opposition leaders are calling for his resignation and early elections.
Both White House spokesman Jay Carney and EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said they were "appalled" by the apparent signs of torture on Mr Bulatov.
The 35-year-old activist, who went missing for eight days, said he had been "crucified" by his captors. He did not know who had abducted him but said they had spoken with Russian accents.
Our correspondent says there was a standoff overnight at the hospital between police who want to question him and anti-government protesters concerned that he would be taken away.
The interior ministry says it wants to interrogate him on suspicion of organising mass unrest, and to examine his account of torture.
'Uncertain future'
The security conference is an annual event held to discuss military and political affairs.
Mr Kerry and Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel are expected to give a joint speech on Saturday, outlining the American approach for the year ahead.
The BBC's Joan Soley in Munich says it will be a message of "diplomacy first" while remaining militarily prepared.
One US official told her there was "an uncertain future, security-wise".
Syria, Iran and the East Asia will be high on the agenda for all participants.
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