The American actress Hayden Panettiere has appeared alongside her Ukrainian fiancée, the boxer Vladimir Klitschko, to deliver a message of support to anti-government protesters in Kyiv on Friday night.

Vladimir’s older brother Vitaly Klitschko, also a world boxing champion, has emerged as a popular opposition leader.

After saying “good evening friends” in Ukrainian, the actress addressed the crowd in English while her fiancée translated.

“There’s a movement happening here, and you have a chance to make things right, to make things just. You have a right to a democracy,” Panettiere said.

“And as an American I want you to know that I stand by you, I support your fight, and I will support it until the country of Ukraine in its entirety reflects the beauty, the true beauty of Ukrainian people. Keep fighting. I love you all,” she added.

Vladimir Klitschko said he believed those responsible for violent clashes in Kyiv on November 30 and December 1 would be found.

The couple announced their engagement in October.