Tymoshenko urges "to defend Ukraine"

17:23, 20.01.2014 1 min read

Ukraine's ex-prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko has expressed support for the protestors in Kyiv and called on the current authorities to resign voluntarily.

"It is to you, the brave sons and daughters of Ukraine, that I am addressing the words of support and faith in you. Defend Ukraine and fear nothing. Ukraine has no defense other than you. There is no other way for the people to deal with the mafia. You are the heroes," the ex-prime minister said in a statement read out by her press secretary Maryna Soroka at the national resistance headquarters' press center on Monday.

"Had I been free, I would have been with you on Hrushevskoho Street," Tymoshenko said. "Freedom is worth this fight," she said.

The former prime minister has condemned the authorities for ignoring all peaceful protests which have continued in the country over the past 60 days.