Ukraine protesters stand ground as European, U.S. leaders ramp up pressure

[LoganIsAwesome]

[QUOTE]Kiev, Ukraine (CNN) -- Protesters stoked fires along barricade lines as night fell Wednesday over Kiev's Maidan, or Independence Square, a day after 26 people died in violent clashes that have drawn reproach from Western leaders.
An opposition leader said the situation was precarious, but despite the burning fires and police lines, a strange calm pervaded central Kiev -- even as security officials rebranded the protesters as terrorists and announced a nationwide security operation to restore order.
Meanwhile, European and U.S. leaders threatened quick sanctions against the Ukrainian government over what French President Francois Hollande called "unspeakable, unacceptable, intolerable acts."
While insisting that "peaceful protesters (should) remain peaceful," U.S. President Barack Obama made a point in saying that the Ukrainian government carried an especially big burden for what's happened so far and what's to come.[/QUOTE]
[url]http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/19/world/europe/ukraine-protests/index.html?hpt=hp_t2[/url]

[editline]19th February 2014[/editline]

[QUOTE]STORY HIGHLIGHTS
NEW: Obama: "We hold the Ukrainian government primarily responsible"
In CNN interview, Ukrainian foreign minister blames "extremist groups" for violence
Calls intensify for sanctions against Ukraine government after protest violence left 26 dead
Ukrainian Olympic team pleads for "peace and mutual understanding"[/QUOTE]