Ukraine’s EU Snub Sparks Tensions as Kiev Braces for Rallies - Bloomberg

Ukraine’s EU Snub Sparks Tensions as Kiev Braces for Rallies - Bloomberg:

"Ukraine’s decision to break off negotiations for a European Union trade deal sparked tensions from the nation’s parliament to the Russian president’s home town as Kiev braced for protests.
Russia and the EU traded barbs, accusing each other of pressuring the ex-Soviet nation. Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, speaking in parliament amid a hail of insults and paper projectiles, blamed the International Monetary Fund for the turnaround. Ukraine’s Channel 5 reported that about 1,500 protesters gathered on Independence square in the city center, surrounded by riot police.
The EU and Russia each buy about a quarter of Ukrainian exports and have been jostling over relations with the second-most populous former Soviet country, a crucial transit route for energy shipments. The two sides accused each other of blackmail, while Vladimir Putin said the EU is encouraging protests."

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