Ex-President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych apologized to families of the victims of Maidan riots, RT reports.
“I want to appeal to the victims or those who represent them now at court. I want to apologize to you for you to understand and know that I did everything to avoid the tragedy. I am ready to look you in the eyes and answer all questions,” Yanukovych said, 112 Ukraine TV channel says.
When testifying at court, Yanukovych accused the sitting government of Ukraine of starting a war in the country. Yanukovych stated that it was the leaders of Maidan riots, including, in particular, current Prosecutor General Yury Lutsenko, who urged people to take up arms. Yanukovych added that he had not given orders for the use of weapons during the bloody riots in Kiev.
The shooting on Kiev’s central square was a planned special operation to overthrow the legitimate government in the country, he added.
He also said that he had never renounced the idea of European integration. According to him, the adequate decision was postponed due to the fact that all the proposals that Ukraine received from the International Monetary Fund in November 2013 “were not sincere.” In particular, the IMF demanded Ukraine should raise tariffs and retirement age.
In addition, the former president of Ukraine said during the interrogation, that the new Ukrainian authorities were supposed to investigate into the attempt on his life that was committed in 2014.