Ukrainian International Olympic Committee chief calls for end to violence

Ukrainian International Olympic Committee chief Sergey Bubka has called for an end to violence in his homeland, following the 'peaceful and honourable' showing by the country's athletes in Sochi.

The 50-year-old former pole vault champion took to Twitter to plead with demonstrators to behave in the same manner as Ukraine's "peaceful" Olympic competitors.

"I want to bring Olympic Truce to my country," Bubka said. "Dialogue is power, violence is weakness. Our athletes are competing hard in Sochi, but peacefully and with honour. Violence has no place in the world."

At least 25 people have been killed in fresh anti-government protests in the past few days.