In the wake of severe violence in several parts of Ukraine on Tuesday, when at least 25 people died, France is gearing up to ask for European Union sanctions against authorities in Ukraine, probably the President and security-

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has expressed “grave concern” over escalation in violence in Kiev and called on Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to pull back security forces and exercise maximum restraint.

The Ukrainian president is blaming opposition leaders for the deadly violence that has erupted in central Kiev. In a statement published online early Wednesday, President Viktor Yanukovych said that he had already made