Yanukovich blasted western officials who had recognized the government in Kiev, despite the way it came into power and its connection to right-wing radicals. “Are you blind? Have you forgotten what fascism is?” he said. He criticized Washington for its decision to provide a $1 billion loan to the new authorities in Kiev, saying that US law forbids financial support for any government that came to power in a military coup, ousting a legitimately elected head of state. Yanokovich said he would appeal to American legislators to assess the perceived violation. Yanukovich warned that Ukrainians are facing a serious fall in their living standards due to economic austerity measures that Kiev will have to take to secure western aid. The authorities will blame Yanukovich and probably Russia for this, he predicted, adding that these would be false accusations. It is becoming clearer day by day who the real culprits were. He also mentioned the defiance towards Kiev in Crimea and eastern Ukraine. “Your actions led to Crimea splitting away, to people in the east demanding respect for their rights even at gunpoint,” he said, addressing the Kiev authorities. He neither endorsed nor condemned Crimeas upcoming referendum on whether to become independent from Ukraine and join the Russian Federation. He denounced the presidential election in Ukraine planned for May 25, saying that under the circumstances it would not be representative. Yanukovich dismissed the notion that he had lost legitimacy after fleeing Ukraine and pledged to return to Kiev “as soon as the circumstances allow it.” He added he believed that would be soon. Yanukovich was overthrown on February 22 in what Russia considers was an armed coup committed with the help of armed radical activists. The new authorities declared him deposed in violation of constitutional impeachment procedures and formed a new government. rt/news/yanukovich-statement-ukraine-crimea-074/
Posted on: Wed, 12 Mar 2014 01:19:29 +0000
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