KIEV, Ukraine — Addressing a deeply divided nation, officials in the government of President Viktor F. Yanukovich of Ukraine on Wednesday called a financial aid and natural gas deal with Russia the country’s only hope to prevent economic collapse, although it was signed in defiance of a large and sustained protest in the capital.
EuroMaidan Revolution
New York Times: Azarov hails deal with Russia
Demonstrators come to the first Sunday rally, on Nov. 24, since the start of the EuroMaidan protests on Nov. 21. The Dec. 17 announcement that Russia is offering a $15 billion bailout plus a gas-price discount amounting to $2 billion a year seems to have left the protest movement drifting.
