Yanukovych Defends Bailout Deal, Leaves EU Door Open

Radio Free Europe, December 19, 2013

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych

KYIV -- Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has defended Kyiv's bailout deal with Moscow, saying it does not contradict Ukraine's future EU integration.

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.