Biden calls for immediate de-escalation, end of violence in Ukraine

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden Thursday called Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to urge "an immediate de-escalation in the standoff between protesters and security forces in downtown Kyiv," it was announced here Thursday. The Office of the Vice President said in a statement that Biden urged Yanukovych "to take steps to end violence and to meaningfully address the legitimate concerns of peaceful protesters." Biden also stressed "the importance of the ongoing dialogue with the opposition and the need for genuine compromise as the only solution to the crisis." "The Vice President underscored that freedoms of assembly and expression are fundamental pillars of a democratic society and must be protected," the statement added. "While emphasizing that violence by any side is not acceptable, the Vice President underscored that only the government of Ukraine can ensure a peaceful end to the crisis and further bloodshed would have consequences for Ukraine's relationship with the United States," the statement stressed. Biden encouraged Yanukovych "to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis," the statement noted.