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Ukraine Leaders Face Off Over Georgia War

President blasts Russia, attacks prime minister's silence

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 15, 2008 3:09 AM CDT

(Newser) – Russia’s war with Georgia has dangerously exacerbated tensions in Ukrainian politics, with President Viktor Yushchenko slamming Russia’s actions while Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has kept mum, the Los Angeles Times reports. Standing firm for Georgia, Yushchenko called the prime minister's lack of action “high treason and political corruption." Tymoshenko’s supporters say the outspoken president is aggravating political tensions and alienating Ukrainians with strong Russian ties.

National sentiment seems increasingly to favor Russia over the West, analysts say. Some suggest Moscow has stoked the flames of discord to help drive out the president—and “slowly adapt Ukraine to their liking," said one expert. Tymoshenko, meanwhile, has been called in for questioning in the president’s 2004 poisoning. Continuing strife between the factions is likely to officially end their tenuous coalition this week.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko arrives at the Prosecutor-General's Office in Kiev, Ukraine, last week for questioning in the president's 2004 poisoning. (AP Photo/Olexander Prokopenko)

Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko listens to Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenk. (AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov)

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko gestures at a news conference in Kiev, Ukraine, earlier this summer. (AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov)

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Ukraine Leaders Face Off Over Georgia War

President blasts Russia, attacks prime minister's silence

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Ukraine Leaders Face Off Over Georgia War

President blasts Russia, attacks prime minister's silence

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Russia • Georgia • Ukraine • Viktor Yushchenko • Yulia Tymoshenko

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Ukraine Faces Early Election as Coalition Falls

Feuding between pro-Western leaders leads to collapse

Ukraine's Government Near Collapse

President accuses PM of 'constitutional coup' after Georgia discord

West to Put Screws to Russia

New fury at Russia's formal recognition of breakaway states

Facing Russia, Ex-Soviet States Need NATO

Joining alliance key to security, Ukraine's president says

Russia May Put Pressure on Ukraine Next

After dominating Georgia, Moscow could try to block NATO bid

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

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More News

What is Newser?