Biden urges Ukrainian President to defuse crisis

WASHINGTON -- US Vice President Joe Biden on Tuesday "strongly encouraged" Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to work with the opposition to find compromises critical to ending the country's current political crisis.

In a telephone talk between the two leaders, Biden welcomed the progress made on Tuesday and urged Yanukovych to immediately sign the repeal of anti-protest laws, White House said in a statement.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov tendered his resignation on Tuesday, aiming to "create an additional possibility" for a political compromise to peacefully resolve the conflict in Ukraine. Yanukovych accepted the resignation, and the government is subsequently dissolved.  

Biden also called for an amnesty law and a new government that can take Ukraine in the direction of Europe by strengthening democratic institutions and making the reforms necessary to achieve economic prosperity.

Protests in Ukraine turned violent about 10 days ago, when radical activists attacked riot police with fireworks and petrol bombs. Since January 19, at least three people were reported dead and hundreds of others, including police officers, injured during the clashes.

The mass rallies started in Ukraine last November, following a government decision to put on hold an association agreement with the European Union and opt for closer relations with Russia.