Yanukovych slams West for meddling
Print Edition
Ukraine’s President Viktor Yanukovych slammed the West yesterday for supporting the massive street protests calling for his ouster and announced plans to partially join a Moscow-led economic union — a move that was likely to deepen Ukraine’s political crisis.
Speaking in a televised interview with some hand-picked journalists, Yanukovych criticized foreign nations for meddling in Ukraine’s internal affairs.
Senior Western diplomats have in recent weeks attended and expressed support for the sprawling demonstrations on Kiev’s Independence Square, known as the Maidan. Assistant US Secretary of State Victoria Nuland even handed out sandwiches to protesters there.
“It is very important. This is our internal matter,” Yanukovych said. “And let some countries not meddle in our internal affairs and not believe that they can be bosses here.”
“I am categorically against having someone come here and teach us how to live,” a visibly angered Yanukovych added.
Yanukovych has faced nearly a month of angry protests since his abrupt decision to shelve a political and trade agreement with the 28-nation European Union and turn toward Russia instead.
The president’s fiery comments came two days after Russia announced a major bailout loan for Ukraine, which has been facing a possible default.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s economic package for Ukraine includes a pledge to buy US$15 billion worth of Ukrainian state bonds and a sharp discount on Russian natural gas for Ukrainian customers.
In Moscow, Putin insisted the bailout was driven by a desire to help a neighbor in dire straits and wasn’t aimed at breaking off Ukraine’s ties with the EU.
“We have nothing to do with that whatsoever,” Putin said.
Putin also rejected allegations Russia could send soldiers to annex the eastern, mostly Russian, part of the Ukraine.
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