Biden called Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych on yesterday. It's the second time Biden has spoken to Yanukovych in less than a week.
The White House said Biden offered US support for negotiations to end the standoff. The call comes as Yanukovych is agreeing to scrap harsh anti-protest laws that set off clashes.
Biden warned Yanukovych against harsh security measures like declaring a state of emergency that he said would further inflame the situation. He called for Ukraine to pull back riot police and to respond to the Ukrainian people's grievances.