BRUSSELS 

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell condemned the violence in Kazakhstan on Saturday and offered help in finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

Borrell expressed concerns about the situation in Kazakhstan in a statement released on behalf of the European Union.

“We deeply regret the loss of life and strongly condemn the widespread acts of violence,” he said, stressing that further escalation, incitement to violence and exploitation of the unrest should be avoided.

Borrell said the bloc was ready to assist and called Kazakhstan and “important partner to the European Union.”

He urged Kazakh authorities to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms and underlined that “outside military support should respect the sovereignty and independence of Kazakhstan.”

Protests against the increased prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) have grown into massive riots across Kazakhstan in the past week.

The Kazakhstan Interior Ministry said 18 security officers and 26 protesters were killed during the ongoing violence and 4,266 people have been detained, including nationals of neighboring countries.