Arseniy Yatsenyuk

Some 67 people detained for participating in violent clashes were released Sunday after pro-Russian protesters stormed the police headquarters in Odessa, demanding they be let go.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has accused the local security service of failing to prevent the violence in Odessa that left more than 40 people dead.

Over 40 people died on Friday in the Black Sea port, most of them in a fire at the Trade Unions House, where pro-Russian activists had barricaded themselves following battles with pro-Kiev forces.

Russia wants to start a "third world war", Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk suggested during a cabinet meeting on Friday.

During the event that was broadcast live on Ukrainian television, Yatsenyuk spoke of a military and political "occupation" to which his country was subjected by Russia.

Russia could "remember" permission to use force

MOSCOW, KIEV -- In case the situation in Ukraine’s southeast deteriorates, Russia "will remember the permission to use armed forces in Ukraine given by the Federation Council."

This was stated on Friday by Russia’s UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, who emphasized that his country was not seeking that scenario.

International Monetary Funds officials have recommended that Ukraine be granted a loan worth USD 17 B aimed at helping Kiev to reduce pressure on the economy.

US Vice-President Joe Biden is due to hold talks with the Ukrainian leadership on Tuesday.

Biden is to meet the country's Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk and interim President Oleksandr Turchynov.

He is also expected to announce that the US will provide economic and energy-related assistance to the government.

Ukraine’s interim government has prepared an Amnesty Bill for pro-Russian separatists who leave the occupied buildings and hand in their weapons.

Representatives of Ukraine, the EU, Russia and the US are to discuss the situation in Eastern and Southern Ukraine in Thursday's meeting in Geneva, Switzerland.

The diplomatic effort is virtually under way, as Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytsya was reported to have met EU's High Representative on Foreign Affairs, Catherine Ashton.

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Ukraine was "on the verge of civil war" and described the actions of Ukraine's military in the east as "unacceptable".

Putin made the first comment during a phone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whereas the second was in a call to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as RIA Novosti reported.

Pro-Russian separatists have retained control of key government buildings in eastern Ukraine despite PM Arseniy Yatsenyuk's promise to cede more power to the country's regions.