Economics
Russian Cash to Buoy Yanukovych as Ukraine’s Economy Decays
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President Viktor Yanukovych’s rush to buoy his popularity with handouts after securing $15 billion of Russian aid risks exacerbating Ukraine’s economic tailspin.
A day after the Russian deal, Premier Mykola Azarov vowed to raise social spending such as minimum wages and child benefits, and increase public paychecks three times before 2015 presidential elections. Yanukovych trails opposition leaders including ex-heavyweight boxer Vitali Klitschko in polls.