Defiant Yanukovych refuses to resign or leave Ukraine
- 10 years ago
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has spoken in a television interview on UBR. He said he would not resign or leave the country.
“The events witnessed by our country and the whole world are an example of a coup d’etat,” he said, comparing it to the rise of the Nazis to power in Germany in the 1930s. He said he had also come under fire. “My car was shot at. I am not afraid. I feel sorrow for my country,” he told UBR television. “I am a legitimately elected president. I have been given guarantees by the international mediators who I have been working with. They told me I will be safe,” Yanukovych added.
Despite his defiance, the dismantling of his authority seemed all but complete, with his cabinet promising a transition to a new government, the police declaring themselves behind the protesters and his arch-rival Tymoshenko going free.
“The events witnessed by our country and the whole world are an example of a coup d’etat,” he said, comparing it to the rise of the Nazis to power in Germany in the 1930s. He said he had also come under fire. “My car was shot at. I am not afraid. I feel sorrow for my country,” he told UBR television. “I am a legitimately elected president. I have been given guarantees by the international mediators who I have been working with. They told me I will be safe,” Yanukovych added.
Despite his defiance, the dismantling of his authority seemed all but complete, with his cabinet promising a transition to a new government, the police declaring themselves behind the protesters and his arch-rival Tymoshenko going free.