UKRAINE: Ukraine's opposition 'forbids' president to sign any documents with Russia

Record ID: 214124

  • Title: UKRAINE: Ukraine's opposition 'forbids' president to sign any documents with Russia
  • Date: 15th December 2013
  • Summary: KIEV, UKRAINE (DECEMBER 15, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF TOP SHOTS OF PROTESTERS WITH FLAGS AT INDEPENDENCE SQUARE UKRAINIAN OPPOSITION LEADERS SPEAKING FROM STAGE PROTESTERS (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN OPPOSITION LEADER OLEH TYAHNIBOK, SAYING: "For us, Ukrainians, Tuesday, December 17 will be a very important day. We together, the entire Ukrainian community that is at the Maidan (Independence square) here today, that must come to the regions of the capital that must let its confident 'no' be heard. A no to any trade or customs union under the influence of Russia. Isn't that right community? (shouts)" CROWD CHEERING (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN OPPOSITION LEADER OLEH TYAHNIBOK, SAYING: "And we, the modern Ukrainians, must do everything we can right now for the sake of the future, so that Moscow does not step its dirty boots over Ukrainians, that is why we forbid the president to sign anything in Moscow, that would conflict with the interests of the nation." CROWD UKRAINIAN OPPOSITION LEADER ARSENY YATSENYUK SPEAKING ON STAGE (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN OPPOSITION LEADER ARSENY YATSENYUK, SAYING: "And through this rally, a rally for our future, a rally for our rights, a rally for our freedom, we will inevitably achieve results. We are already different, we are already more enduring, we are now stronger than them (acting government). And so step by step, day by day, one after another we will reach our victory, our Ukrainian victory. A victory of our nation, a victory of every single Ukrainian in this great European country. Glory to Ukraine!" CROWD CHANTING "GLORY TO THE HEROES" VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS WITH FLAGS AND BANNERS
  • Embargoed: 30th December 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Ukraine
  • Country: Ukraine
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA18TOTAJATCCMTTMVOXYR4KKU8
  • Story Text: Ukrainian opposition leaders say they forbid President Yanukovich to sign any documents with Russia during his upcoming visit to Moscow.


    Ukrainian opposition leaders told protesters on Sunday (December 15) that they forbid President Yanukovich to sign any documents with Russia during his upcoming trip to Moscow on December 17.
    Thousands massed on Sunday for a rally against Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich just days before he heads for a meeting in the Kremlin which the opposition fears will slam the door on integration with the European mainstream.
    "For us, Ukrainians, Tuesday, December 17 will be a very important day. We together, the entire Ukrainian community that is at the Maidan (Independence square) here today, that must come to the regions of the capital that must let its confident 'no' be heard. A no to any trade or customs union under the influence of Russia. Isn't that right community?" opposition leader Oleh Tyahnibok told crowds of pro-EU protesters at the Independence square in Kiev.
    "And we, the modern Ukrainians, must do everything we can right now for the sake of the future, so that Moscow does not step its dirty boots over Ukrainians, that is why we forbid the president to sign anything in Moscow, that would conflict with the interests of the nation," Tyahnibok added.
    Street protests erupted after Yanukovich's decision on Nov. 21 to walk away from the agreement with the EU, after years of careful preparation, and turn to Moscow, Kiev's Soviet-era overlord, for aid to save Ukraine's distressed economy.
    Yanukovich's policy swerve, while backed by many in Russian-speaking east Ukraine which is his powerbase, sparked huge disappointment and anger in western and central areas where people see Europe as their proper place.
    Another opposition leader Arseny Yatsenyuk, addressing protesters, said that the opposition "will reach the victory" step by step.
    "And through this rally, a rally for our future, a rally for our rights, a rally for our rights, a rally for our freedom we will inevitably achieve results. We are already different, we are already more enduring, we are now stronger than them (acting government). And so step by step, day by day, one after another we will reach our victory, our Ukrainian victory. A victory of our nation, a victory of every single Ukrainian in this great European country. Glory to Ukraine!"
    Yanukovich seems likely to be able to hang on to power despite the strength of the crowds at weekend rallies. But much may depend on what sort of deal he can cut with Putin on Tuesday (December 17) and how quickly it will help the Ukrainian economy.
    Whatever the outcome, his popularity has suffered hugely from the crisis, the opposition has been re-energised, the faith of key stakeholders such as the oligarchs has been shaken and he can no longer assume re-election in 2015.
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