MOSCOW -- Alarmed by an outbreak of deadly violence in Ukraine, the international community reacted Wednesday with urgent appeals for both sides in the bitter confrontation over the country?s future to renounce the use of force and negotiate an end to the 3-month-old conflict.

KIEV, Ukraine -- In the wake of violence that claimed 25 lives and left hundreds injured, the Ukrainian government declared Wednesday that it was launching "an anti-terrorist operation" that some feared would escalate its conflict with pro-Western demonstrators.

KIEV, Ukraine -- As the death toll in Kiev's violent political confrontation rose dramatically to at least 25 Wednesday,  embattled Ukrainian President Victor Yanukovich laid blame for the violence on protest leaders and threatened a tough response.