19:13 18.04.2018

Yanukovych was convinced Feb. 21, 2014 agreement with opposition would be honored – MP Dobkin

2 min read
Yanukovych was convinced Feb. 21, 2014 agreement with opposition would be honored – MP Dobkin

Disgraced ex-Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was convinced his February 21, 2014 agreement with opposition leaders would be kept and that guarantees from the United States and Russia would be honored, Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (Opposition Bloc) deputy Mykhailo Dobkin said during a Wednesday appearance in Kyiv's Obolonsky District Court, where the trial is taking place.

"Yanukovych told me in detail about his big personal victory in making the agreement. He even said the United States and Russia guaranteed fulfillment of the pact. He travelled to Kharkiv in order to avoid provoking more unrest in Kyiv and to begin making legislative changes pursuant to the agreement," Dobkin said.

The deputy added that on the night of February 21 to February 22, 2018 Yanukovych communicated with ex-Prime Minister and opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk, complaining that agreements to withdraw protesters and lift the blockade of government buildings were not kept.

Dobkin also said he heard telephone conversations during which Yanukovych spoke with guards at his Mezhyhirrya residence about "armed persons" arriving at the site. According to the MP, ex Ukrainian SBU Security Service chief Oleksandr Yakymenko then spoke with Right Sector leader Dmytro Yarosh, agreeing that his residence not be stormed.

Dobkin, then Kharkiv governor, said he stepped up security arrangements in line with Yanukovych's visit. He said he did not expect Yanukovych to flee to Russia.

Dobkin declined to comment on Yanukovych's March 1, 2014 letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin requesting Russian military assistance to maintain order in Ukraine. He said he considers Crimea to be part of Ukraine and blamed events in early 2014 on persons in power from the end of February 2014.

AD
AD
AD
AD