Kremlin source says Yushchenko lied in Tymoshenko court testimony

Russia’s state-owned news service RIA Novosti reported yesterday, citing an undisclosed “high-ranking source in the Kremlin” that former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko lied during testimony given yesterday during the trial of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, who is being tried for exceeding her powers in gas contracts in 2009. The source said Yushchenko was not only aware of negotiations and pledged to support any agreements Tymoshenko reached, but wanted a more active personal role in the talks. Yushchenko had testified that he was unaware of the specifics of the negotiations and said the contracts should be annulled. Russia has said it would respect the 2009 agreement, signed by Tymoshenko and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, and has rebuffed Kyiv’s attempts this year to renegotiate for cheaper gas.