Ukraine President Warns Radicals, Mulls Early Elections ahead of Ashton’s Visit

Local Editor

Ukraine's embattled president has announced that he is returning to work on Monday after four days' sick leave.

It came as thousands of protesters filled Kiev's main square - demanding that he give up power.

Opposition leaders, fresh from meeting European US officials at a conference in Munich, told the crowd that they would secure international aid of they were able to take power.
"We have a common understanding with our Western partners about what should be done in Ukraine and how much money it requires," said Arseniy Yatsenyuk, leader of Ukraine's opposition Fatherland Party.

"But first of all, the question is who will be executing this plan of change for Ukraine, as no one trusts this regime."
Yuriy Miroshnychenko, Yanukovych's personal representative in parliament, said the president has spoken at a meeting with lawmakers last week of "two possible scenarios" to end a two-month crisis.
"The first is the release of occupied buildings and an amnesty and the second is early elections. The amnesty is not working out," Miroshnychenko stated, referring to the release of detained protesters.

Miroshnychenko spoke just hours before the arrival of EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and as parliament met to discuss opposition demands, including a constitutional overhaul to curb presidential powers.
President Viktor Yanukovych angered opponents when he spurned a trade pact with the EU - turning to Russia for financial support instead.

Meanwhile, Ashton is expected to begin talks with the opposition and authorities after arrival and continue meetings on Wednesday, said Ashton's spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic. She refused to give further details.

The visit follows a round of meetings with Ukrainian and global players in Munich this weekend, and reports that Europe and United States are mulling a financial aid plan once political reforms or a new government are in place.
Opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk has asked for a huge package of $20 billion on the lines of a bailout promised by Russia that is now on hold.

But EU diplomats played down the prospect of big funds.

Ashton has visited Kiev several times for talks with the opposition and President Yanukovych who ditched an EU association accord in November under Russian pressure.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team