Interfax: Yanukovych blames Ukraine’s current authorities for Crimea’s separation

ROSTOV-ON-DON. March 11 (Interfax) – Ukraine’s president, Viktor Yanukovych, said that the socioeconomic situation will deteriorate in Ukraine under the current government and that he does not bear responsibility for Crimea’s “separation from Ukraine.”

“The socioeconomic situation will seriously deteriorate soon, which will deal a direct blow to the people of Ukraine. Those who have usurped power will try to shift responsibility for this over onto me, or even onto Russia,” Yanukovych said in a statement on Tuesday.

“I have nothing to do with this and I think steps to cut spending, pensions, benefits and wages are inhuman and anti-democratic,” Yanukovych said.

“Our government and I had clear-cut plans for maintaining the Ukrainian citizens’ living standards. Now that an unconstitutional coup has been carried out and power has been usurped, this, unfortunately, is impossible,” he said.

“You, those who have seized power illegally, will answer for the orders to shoot at people sooner or later – sooner rather than later,” Yanukovych said.

Yanukovych blamed the Kyiv authorities for the current tensions in Crimea.

“Ukraine is going through a time of trials. Your actions have led to Crimea’s separation. Even at gunpoint the population of the southeastern regions continues demanding respect for themselves and for their rights. We will overcome this unrest, and people you have fooled will open their eyes. Free and glorious Ukraine is alive,” he said in Ukrainian.