Ukraine leader heads to China, leaving turmoil at home
Source: Reuters
(Reuters) - Embattled Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich flew to China on Tuesday, leaving behind a country in turmoil over his decision to spurn a landmark accord with the European Union under Russian pressure.
Besides anger in the streets and from opposition politicians, the president faces growing pressure from international markets, increasing the risk of a financial crisis that could force his hand.
With black-clad riot police facing off against several thousand pro-EU protesters outside parliament, opposition leaders inside the chamber demanded a vote of no-confidence in Yanukovich's government.
The fiery debate reflected growing anger on the streets of the capital, Kiev, where 350,000 protesters massed on Sunday and thousands are still manning barricades and picketing government buildings.
Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/03/us-ukraine-idUSBRE9B208U20131203
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Protesters shout and wave flags marching towards government headquarters in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, on Monday, Dec. 2, 2013. Hundreds
of Ukrainian protesters have blocked entrances to the government building and called for the ouster of the prime minister and his cabinet.
Facing huge anti-government demonstrations after spurning a deal with the European Union, Ukraine's embattled president sought Monday to quell public anger by moving to renew talks with Brussels. The protests were sparked by Yanukovych's decision to ditch the political association and free trade pact with the EU, followed by the violent dispersal of a small peaceful rally in Kiev over the weekend.
The opposition, meanwhile, scrambled to secure enough votes in parliament to oust the Cabinet and try to force an early presidential election, in the biggest unrest in the country since the 2004 Orange Revolution.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who strongly opposed the EU deal, denounced the opposition protests in Kiev as "pogroms."
On Monday, Yanukovych called European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and asked to renew negotiations on signing the association agreement. He also said in an interview with Ukraine's main television channels that he remains committed to European integration, but would like to negotiate better terms for the fragile Ukrainian economy.
http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/international/europe/2013/12/facing_protests_ukraine_leader_again_courts_eu
Sounds like Yanukovych wants closer integration with Europe as well, but backed out of the proposed deal at the last minute in search of better terms. Of course, Putin does not want Ukraine to get close to Europe. The pressure from him gives Ukraine with an alternative which gives them leverage in their negotiations with the EU. Many ordinary citizens see pulling out of the EU deal, not as a negotiating tactic, but as caving in to Putin.
