Radio Free Europe, December 19, 2013
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych |
But he said
Kyiv is nevertheless analyzing documents related to joining a Russian-led
Customs Union.
Yanukovych
made his comments at a press conference in Kyiv on December 19.
During a
trip to Moscow on December 17, Russia offered Kyiv $15 billion in credits and
slashed one-third off the price it pays for Russian gas supplies.
Ukrainian
Prime Minister Mykola Azarov hailed the deal as "historic" and said
it would revive economic growth.
On December
19, Yanukovych said Kyiv is still studying what it means if Ukraine signs an
Association Agreement with the EU.
Yanukovych
abruptly pulled out of plans to sign the deal in late November.
He said on
December 19 that Ukraine has to find a "model of cooperation" that
can satisfy all sides.
Yanukovych
also criticized opposition leaders, who have brought tens of thousands of
pro-EU protesters onto the streets, for conducting "revolutionary"
actions, calling on them to wait for elections to achieve their goals.
Yanukovych
said, however, that if his ratings were low, he would not stand for reelection
in 2015.
Putin said
Moscow does not oppose closer ties between Ukraine and the EU, but that Russia
was compelled as a "brotherly country" to offer Kyiv the bailout.
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