Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych leaves chaos for China
Viktor Yanukovych heads to Beijing in search of loans to avert a debt crisis as anger continues back home over decision to spurn EU accord
Embattled Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych flew to China yesterday, leaving behind a country in turmoil over his decision to spurn a landmark accord with the European Union under Russian pressure.
Besides anger in the streets and from opposition politicians, the president faces growing pressure from international markets, increasing the risk of a financial crisis that could force his hand.
With riot police facing off against several thousand pro-EU protesters outside parliament, opposition leaders inside the chamber demanded a vote of no-confidence in the government. However, parliament rejected the motion against Prime Minister Mykola Azarov's government after the ruling party abstained.
Addressing an emergency parliament session, Azarov apologised for the brutal police crackdown on weekend protests.
"On behalf of our government, I would like to apologise for the actions of our law-enforcement authorities on Maidan [Independence Square]," he said to chants of "resignation" from pro-EU opposition lawmakers.
The fiery debate reflected growing anger on the streets of the capital, Kiev, where 350,000 protesters massed on Sunday and thousands are still manning barricades and picketing government buildings.
The government's November 21 decision to reject a deal on closer trade ties and integration with the EU has plunged the country of 46 million into turmoil, laying bare once more a deep split in thinking between the Russian-speaking East and Ukrainian-speaking West.