SEVASTOPOL, Ukraine, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Hundreds of protesters gathered in Sevastopol, Ukraine, Saturday to oppose the political actions of President Viktor Yushchenko, a leader said.
Political activist Vasiliy Parhomenko said nearly 1,500 people joined the protest following a city council meeting in order to criticize Yushchenko's decision to distance his country from Russia, RIA Novosti reported.
"Viktor Yushchenko has established a fascist regime in the country; he is conducting an anti-national policy and deliberately severing our spiritual and economic ties with the Russian Federation," the leader of Sevastopol communists said.
Saturday's protest followed comments by former Ukrainian president Leonid Kravchuk, who urged Yushchenko to resign.
"The true patriotism of a president ... also means understanding the situation from within and making a responsible decision to step down," Kravchuk said Tuesday, referring to Ukraine's economic and gas problems. "Such a step could stop the avalanche of problems, calm society and give hope for a real way out of the crisis."
