Ukraine’s opposition has accused President Viktor Yanukovich of “selling the country” to Moscow, as he made an unexpected visit to Russia for the latest in a series of secretive meetings with its leader, Vladimir Putin.
Thousands of demonstrators have occupied Independence Square and the mayor’s office in central Kiev since Mr Yanukovich postponed a landmark deal with the EU last month to repair relations with Russia, which had threatened economic retaliation against Ukraine if it signed the pact.
The protesters fear Mr Yanukovich is ready to scrap European integration in favour of agreements that would tie Ukraine’s future to Russia, and give him the money he needs to prop up the economy and spend more freely ahead of a bid for re-election in 2015.
"He is simply selling the country," said opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk. "Yanukovich wanted a bidding war between the EU and Russia. But the EU, and the IMF, want to see reforms here. They do not want to pay to support Yanukovich's regime. So he has turned back to Russia," Mr Yatsenyuk told The Irish Times.
Soviet club
"It will be a disaster for the country – and for him – if he signs up to a new Soviet Union."
Mr Yanukovich insists he still wants to sign an association agreement with the EU – rather than join a Russian-led customs union of ex-Soviet states – but only when Ukraine’s economy is healthier and the terms of the deal are better.
The EU says its offer to Kiev is still on the table, but it will not renegotiate the deal. Officials in Brussels find it hard to believe that, after six years of talks, Ukraine only realised the potential impact of the pact on relations with Russia a week before it was due to be signed.
Mr Yanukovich met Mr Putin three times in recent weeks. Details of what they discussed were not released, but other ex-Soviet states that have aligned with Moscow over the EU have received big discounts on Russian gas imports, low-interest loans and investment from Kremlin-controlled firms.
“The heads of state discussed questions of trade and economic co-operation . . . and preparations for a future strategic partnership agreement,” Mr Yanukovich’s office said about yesterday’s meeting in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi.
Senior US and EU officials gave strong support to Ukraine’s protest movement during visits to Kiev this week, and several spent time on Independence Square.
Western diplomats
Russia sharply criticised western diplomats for "interfering" in Ukraine's affairs. Government officials have refused to negotiate with opposition leaders until protesters end their siege of Kiev city hall.
They are refusing to leave, despite warnings from police. The opposition wants the authorities to punish riot police responsible for a brutal attack on protesters, which injured dozens and brought at least 300,000 people on to Independence Square last Sunday.
Protest leaders have called for a similar turnout tomorrow to demand the resignation of Mr Yanukovich and his government.