Ukrainian President accuses opposition forces
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych says contrary to generally held views that he is aloof about the current situation in his country, he and his government are doing all they can to solve the crisis.
Advertisement
He accused the opposition of continuing to “whip up” the situation.
A BBC report quotes a statement issued in Ukrainian on the presidential website after weeks of violent anti-government protests in Kiev and other cities, which led to a series of government concessions.
The presidential website said Mr Yanukovych, 63, had a respiratory illness and a high fever in apparent response to an earlier announcement that the president was on sick leave.
In November, 2013, President Yanukovych reversed a decision to sign a trade deal with the European Union, in favour of a bailout deal with Russia to support Ukraine's ailing economy. This provoked protests since Ukraine has such strong ties with Russia
The past week has seen President Yanukovych accept the resignation of Prime Minister Mykola Azarov and his cabinet, and offer senior jobs to the opposition - offers that were rejected.
The country's parliament also voted last Wednesday to annul a recently enacted law restricting protests - which appeared to be inflaming the situation - and passed a law giving amnesty to detained protesters, under the condition that occupied buildings were vacated.
The amnesty, has, however been rejected by the opposition, according to a CNN report.
