THE Ukrainian community in Bolton has pledged its support to thousands of protesters who are demonstrating against the Ukrainian government.

Ukranian leaders have decided not to sign a trade and association agreement at a summit with the EU next week, triggering protests across the country.

The country has come under pressure from Russia, who wants neighbouring countries to join their own Customs Union.

The decision has sparked widespread protests and a mass demonstration is planned in the capital, Kiev, on Sunday.

Yaroslaw Tymchyshyn, of the Bolton Ukrainian Community, which numbers about 100 people, said the tide is turning in his home country.

He added: “There has always been a big difference between east and west Ukraine, the east side is very industrialised, whereas the west side is very westernised.

“Now people all over are campaigning for this association because they want western standards of democracy, freedom of speech and economic development.”

“The most important thing that is happening at the moment is that people on the east side are now joining the campaign — they are recognising that enough is enough.”

Mr Tymchyshyn was involved in organising a memorial service in Heaton Park last Sunday to honour the victims of the Holodomor famine that killed millions of people in the Ukraine in the 1930s.

He added: “After that ceremony one of our leaders was asking how we can support a Russian regime, when it was their predecessors who murdered all of those Ukrainians. All the Boltonian Ukrainians are behind them.”

Students in the Ukraine have vowed not to go back to their studies until the EU deal is signed and Mr Tymchyshyn said he is very proud of the sacrifices people are making for a better Ukraine.

He added: “These are people who want to get degrees, but they are instead focussing on what is important for the country.”