U.S. Vice President Joe Biden spoke with Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych by telephone Tuesday, the White House said. According to a statement from the White House, Biden welcomed progress toward diffusing the conflict in Ukraine. Yanukovych made the call to Biden in order to offer an update, as Ukraine's prime minister resigned and parliament repealed anti-protest laws that had sparked violent clashes with protesters. It was the third time Biden and Yanukovych have spoken in less than a week. The White House said that Biden urged Yanukovych to sign the repeal of the anti-protest laws without delay and encouraged the Ukrainian president to keep working with the opposition. He is calling for an amnesty law and a new government that will move Ukraine in Europe's direction. The protests erupted after Yanukovych turned toward Russia for a rescue loan instead of a deal with the European Union, but have since expanded in scope.
