Azarov, speaking in Russian over the shouts of opposition deputies, defended Kyiv's decision not to sign an Association Agreement last week. He said the country's economy could not handle a reduction of trade with Russia. He apologized for the November 30 crackdown on protesters in Independence Square, while imploring protesters to leave government buildings.
The Verkhovna Rada, or parliament, fell short of the support needed to hold a no confidence vote. Parliament is dominated by Yanukovych's Party of Regions.