Ukrainian President has surprise meeting with Putin in Russia
- 10 years ago
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych met Russia’s Vladimir Putin on Friday. Yanukovych flew to Sochi, Russia on his way back from a state visit to China.
The meeting with Putin was to map out a new trade and economic agreement and was in defiance of protesters in Kyiv furious about his U-turn away from Europe and a heavy police crackdown on demonstrators.
Yanukovych faces turmoil in Kyiv, where protesters are massed on Independence Square and others occupy City Hall. Police have threatened to crack down harshly to enforce a court order that they disperse.
Meanwhile jailed Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko has ended a hunger strike after 12 days. The former prime minister was jailed in 2011 for abuse of office over a gas deal signed with Russia. Her daughter made the announcement to reporters.
The meeting with Putin was to map out a new trade and economic agreement and was in defiance of protesters in Kyiv furious about his U-turn away from Europe and a heavy police crackdown on demonstrators.
Yanukovych faces turmoil in Kyiv, where protesters are massed on Independence Square and others occupy City Hall. Police have threatened to crack down harshly to enforce a court order that they disperse.
Meanwhile jailed Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko has ended a hunger strike after 12 days. The former prime minister was jailed in 2011 for abuse of office over a gas deal signed with Russia. Her daughter made the announcement to reporters.