World

Ukrainian President Headed to Russia to Get Bailout Loan of Up to $15 Billion

Pro-Europe demonstrations began nearly a month ago when Ukraine stepped back from an EU agreement

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Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych goes to Russia tomorrow seeking a bailout loan of as much as $15 billion as anti-government protesters in Kiev pressure him against forging closer Russian ties.

Ukraine is experiencing its biggest demonstrations since the 2004 Orange Revolution as the country struggles with its third recession since 2008 and foreign-currency reserves are at a seven-year low. Protesters are calling for closer ties with the European Union. The Black Sea nation of 45 million, the second most populous post-Soviet state, is a key transit land for pipelines taking Russian gas to western Europe.