Russia slams West over Ukraine political crisis

NOVANEWS

Ukrainian protesters clash with police on Independence Square in Kiev, November 30, 2013.

Ukrainian protesters clash with police on Independence Square in Kiev, November 30, 2013.
Russia has criticized Western nations for interfering in Ukraine, saying protests against Kiev’s decision to back away from an EU deal were destabilizing the former Soviet state.

The Russian parliament, the State Duma, in a non-binding statement on Tuesday urged the West to “stop mounting external pressure on the politics of a country that is brotherly to us.”

The lower house of parliament also called on Ukrainian opposition forces to “stop illegal actions” over the political crisis, which began when Ukraine decided not to sign a European Union Association Agreement.

Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets of Kiev in the largest protests since the 2004-2005 Western-sponsored Orange Revolution in the country.
Protesters are demonstrating against Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych’s policy to expand trade relations with Russia, while holding off on the EU agreement.
Ukraine says it cannot afford to sacrifice trade with Russia for closer ties with the EU.
Meanwhile, the EU has blamed Russia for Ukraine’s refusal to sign the deal, saying it will not allow Moscow to “veto” deals in Eastern Europe.

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