US officials are “outraged” by the images of Ukrainian security forces firing automatic weapons on their own people, White House press secretary Jay Carney said on Thursday. “We urge President (Viktor) Yanukovych to immediately withdraw his security forces from downtown Kiev and to respect the right of peaceful protest, and …

European Union has taken a decision to impose restrictions on the issuance of travel visas to the Ukrainian officials, whom it deems responsible for the use of violence in Ukraine, Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino said. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin is sending an envoy to Ukraine at the request of President Viktor Yanukovich, to try to mediate talks between the government and opposition, Russian news agencies said on Thursday.