Ukraine’s pro-EU protesters threaten tighter blockade

PanARMENIAN.Net - Ukraine's government faced a tightening blockade of key buildings by protesters in the capital Kiev on Wednesday, December 4 amid a crisis over its rejection of closer ties with the European Union that has piled pressure on the creaking economy, Reuters reported.

Protesters threatened to extend their blockade to the office of President Viktor Yanukovich, who flew to China on Tuesday leaving behind a country in turmoil over his government's decision last month to spurn a landmark EU trade accord.

The crisis has exposed once more the East-West tug-of-war playing out in Ukraine, which has oscillated between the EU and former Soviet master Moscow since the 2004-5 Orange Revolution overthrew the post-Soviet political order.

Yanukovich's prime minister, Mykola Azarov, said his cabinet would hold its weekly meeting on Wednesday in the government building, paving the way for a possible showdown with the protesters, who have blocked the entrances since Monday.

Azarov's government survived an opposition bid to topple it in parliament on Tuesday, but won little relief.

International markets kept up the pressure, driving the cost of insuring Ukrainian debt against default to a level not seen since January 2010. Ukraine faces gas bills and debt repayments next year of more than $17 billion.

Azarov, striking a conciliatory tone, apologized for the police's use of force against protesters at the weekend and implored opposition leaders not to try a repeat of 2004-5, when mass protests overturned a fraudulent election won by Yanukovich.

Addressing parliament in Russian, Azarov faced a barrage of catcalls from opposition lawmakers who draw their support from the country's Ukrainian-speaking West.