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Ukraine’s confrontation between authorities and opposition is growing

The new incentive to mobilize supporters of the European integration were the rumors Ukraine might sign the agreement on joining the Customs Union

MOSCOW, December 09. /ITAR-TASS World Service/. As the oppositionists to Viktor Yanukovich’s regime blocked governmental buildings in the capital city, Ukrainian authorities began considering imposing the emergency rule, the Kommersant daily reports.

The newspaper says the new incentive to mobilize supporters of the European integration were the rumors Ukraine might sign the agreement on joining the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. Sources close to Yanukovich’s administration told Kommersant that Moscow did not insist on any precise timing and did not call on Kiev to announce immediately any progress towards the Customs Union. The Kremlin realizes the complicated situation Viktor Yanukovich is facing now and does not want to affect it by offering another irritation to Maidan (Independence Square in Kiev, where protesters gather).

The newspaper says Moscow has promised to Kiev a total of $15 billion as direct assistance, loans and various preferences. Besides, Ukraine may expect a long-awaited-for lower gas prices, thus the country’s budget will save extra several billion dollars. Compared with the €600 million Brussels has promised to Kiev following signing of the association agreement, the Russian conditions seem to be much more attractive.

Well-informed Ukrainian sources told Kommersant Moscow had agreed also to finance several major infrastructural projects. Besides, the Russian side is ready to offer to leading Ukrainian companies, including those closely connected with Viktor Yanukovich, participation in “extremely profitable projects,” which is bound to affect their interest in association with the Russian Federation, not with the European Union.

Those were the “financial and economic aspects,” that became the major argument to persuade Viktor Yanukovich to suspend signing of the association agreement with the European Union, Kommersant writes.

Rossiiskaya Gazeta writes about the sensational statement, made on Sunday by Deputy President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Vilija Aleknaite-Abramikene. She said the United States would address the counterparts in Brussels asking for a visa-free regime for Ukrainians.

Itar-Tass is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews

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