The European Union has called an extraordinary meeting of the bloc's 28 foreign ministers to discuss the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. Sanctions "against those responsible for violence and use of excessive force" are expected.

Anti-government protests in Ukraine reached their most violent point on Tuesday as at least 25 people were killed and hundreds injured amid violent clashes between police and citizens.

The protests have evolved into a full-blown crisis on the ground. What happens now is critical to the geopolitical struggle between Russia and the West.

The crisis began on November 21, 2013, when Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych snubbed a plan to sign an Association Agreement and trade pact with the EU after Russia persuaded the most populous former Soviet republic to stay in the Kremlin's orbit.

Citizens subsequently flooded the streets and made Independence Square, aka Maidan, their base in central Kiev. The confrontations between the opposition and Yanukovych's government have been escalating since.

On Wednesday, people poured back into Maidan to prepare for fresh clashes with police. (Here's a Maidan live stream.)

From riot police using ancient military tactics to defend against attacks to streets engulfed in flames, the photos coming for the heart of the standoff are incredible.