Ukraine’s president, Viktor Yanukovych, says the country’s historical connection with Russia is important, but its future depends on closer ties with the European Union. Mr. Yanukovych made the comment in an editorial published in the Wall Street Journal Thursday, one day after Ukraine marked its 20th anniversary of independence from the Soviet Union. President Yanukovych […]
Ukraine’s President Calls for Closer Ties With Europe
Ukrainian Opposition Activists Rally on Independence Anniversary
Thousands of Ukrainian opposition activists have rallied in the capital, Kyiv, to protest the arrest and jailing of their leader, former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, as the country marks its 20th anniversary of independence from the Soviet Union. The activists gathered Wednesday near a monument to national poet Taras Shevchenko in central Kyiv and tried […]
Ukrainian Authorities Foil Bomb Plot
Ukraine’s SBU security service says it has arrested three people who had planned to detonate a bomb in Kyiv this week during the former Soviet republic’s Independence Day celebration. The security forces say they found the home-made explosive device – which was packed with nails – when they raided the suspects’ apartment on Monday. Investigators […]
Lawyer: Jailed Ukrainian Opposition Leader Too Sick for Trial
The lawyer for former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko says his client wants to be seen by her own doctor for an undisclosed illness that he said struck quite suddenly. Ms. Tymoshenko and her lawyer were back in a Kyiv court Thursday for her weeks-long trial on abuse of power. It is not clear what […]
Former Ukrainian President Testifies at Tymoshenko Trial
Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko testified against ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko in her abuse of power trial in Kyiv Wednesday, while her supporters chanted “Shame! Shame!” Mr. Yushchenko testified that the natural gas agreement Ms. Tymoshenko signed with Russia in 2009 was a bad financial deal for Ukraine, saying that Ms. Tymoshenko traded national interests […]
Topless Protest in Ukraine at Tymoshenko Trial
Activists from a Ukrainian women’s group have staged a topless protest in a show of anger at the trial of former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko. Two women from the group FEMEN climbed on top of a prison van Tuesday outside the court in Kyiv, stripped to the waist, and denounced against Ukraine’s police and politicians, […]
Kiev Court Rejects Tymoshenko’s Appeal
A Ukrainian court has rejected an appeal to free former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko after she was arrested last week for contempt of court in her trial on charges of abuse of power. The Kyiv court rejected the former prime minister’s appeal Friday. The judge ignored U.S., European and Russian criticism to keep Ms. Tymoshenko […]
Ukraine President Vows Non-Interference in Tymoshenko Trial
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has rejected calls to intervene in the trial of former prime minister and political rival Yulia Tymoshenko. Mr. Yanukovych has been criticized by the West for his government’s handling of the Tymoshenko trial, which many Western governments say appears to be politically motivated. Replying specifically to a letter from Czech President […]
Four EU Nations Criticize Tymoshenko Arrest in Ukraine
Four European Union members that once were under the Soviet sphere are criticizing the arrest of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko for alleged abuse of power. The Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia say all Ukrainians are entitled to fair, transparent and independent judicial proceedings. Czech President Vaclav Klaus sent a personal letter to […]
Four EU Nations Criticize Tymoshenko Arrest in Ukraine
Four European Union members that once were under the Soviet sphere are criticizing the arrest of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko for alleged abuse of power. The Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia say all Ukrainians are entitled to fair, transparent and independent judicial proceedings. Czech President Vaclav Klaus sent a personal letter to […]