News

Ukraine leader’s sick leave prompts guessing game

By JIM HEINTZMARIA DANILOVA
Published January 30, 2014 8:49pm ET
Add Washington Examiner on Google
Ukraine leader’s sick leave prompts guessing game
FILE - In this Thursday, Dec. 19, 2013 file photo Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych speaks during a press conference in Kiev, Ukraine. Ukraine's embattled president Viktor Yanukovych is taking sick leave on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, as the country's political crisis continues without signs of resolution. A statement on the presidential website Thursday said Yanukovych has an acute respiratory illness and high fever. There was no indication of how long he might be on leave or whether he would be able to do any work. (AP Photo/Mykhailo Markiv, Pool) | Mykhailo Markiv

KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — Amid the deepest turmoil since the Orange Revolution, President Viktor Yanukovych’s announcement Thursday that he was taking indefinite sick leave prompted a guessing game among Ukrainians about what was happening to their country.

Debate raged on whether he was just sick or whether he was leaving the limelight in preparation for something, possibly either cracking down or stepping down.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.

Tag:

Ukraine World