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Yulia Tymoshenko to run for Ukraine leader Yulia Tymoshenko to run for Ukraine leader
(about 1 hour later)
Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has said she plans to run for president of Ukraine in May elections.Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has said she plans to run for president of Ukraine in May elections.
Ms Tymoshenko was released from prison in February after three years in jail following the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych. Ms Tymoshenko was released from prison in February after three years in jail following the toppling of President Viktor Yanukovych.
She has already served twice as prime minister and ran for president in 2010.She has already served twice as prime minister and ran for president in 2010.
She was a major figure in the 2004 "Orange Revolution" that ousted Mr Yanukovych from the presidency after an election widely seen as fraudulent.She was a major figure in the 2004 "Orange Revolution" that ousted Mr Yanukovych from the presidency after an election widely seen as fraudulent.
'Direct action''Direct action'
Ms Tymoshenko said she would stand as "a candidate for Ukrainian unity".Ms Tymoshenko said she would stand as "a candidate for Ukrainian unity".
She told reporters that she had earned the right to be considered a candidate who was against corruption.She told reporters that she had earned the right to be considered a candidate who was against corruption.
"My presidential campaign will be the campaign of direct action: no promises, but immediate actions, and then - in a couple of days - reporting on what's been done," she said."My presidential campaign will be the campaign of direct action: no promises, but immediate actions, and then - in a couple of days - reporting on what's been done," she said.
She narrowly lost the 2010 presidential election to pro-Russian Mr Yanukovych.She narrowly lost the 2010 presidential election to pro-Russian Mr Yanukovych.
She was imprisoned in 2011 for corruption linked to a gas deal she brokered with Russia as prime minister in 2009.She was imprisoned in 2011 for corruption linked to a gas deal she brokered with Russia as prime minister in 2009.
Her supporters say the case was politically motivated and instigated by Mr Yanukovych.Her supporters say the case was politically motivated and instigated by Mr Yanukovych.
On Monday she denied the authenticity of a taped conversation in which she allegedly called for Russia to be turned into "scorched earth" and for ethnic Russians in Ukraine to be killed.On Monday she denied the authenticity of a taped conversation in which she allegedly called for Russia to be turned into "scorched earth" and for ethnic Russians in Ukraine to be killed.
Ms Tymoshenko said the recording, which featured prominently on Russian news reports, was produced by Russia's security services.Ms Tymoshenko said the recording, which featured prominently on Russian news reports, was produced by Russia's security services.
Former boxer Vitaliy Klitschko and chocolate tycoon Petro Poroshenko are also expected to take part in the presidential election.Former boxer Vitaliy Klitschko and chocolate tycoon Petro Poroshenko are also expected to take part in the presidential election.
Opinion polls suggest Mr Poroshenko, who is one of Ukraine's richest men, is currently the most popular candidate.Opinion polls suggest Mr Poroshenko, who is one of Ukraine's richest men, is currently the most popular candidate.
The election is expected to take place on 25 May.The election is expected to take place on 25 May.
Deadly protests IMF deal
Also on Thursday, the International Monetary Fund said it had agreed to a loan deal with Ukraine worth $14bn to $18bn. The UN General Assembly on Thursday approved a non-binding resolution declaring the referendum that led to Russia's annexation of Crimea illegal and affirming Ukraine's territorial integrity.
Ukraine's interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk earlier told parliament the country was on the ""on the edge of economic and financial bankruptcy". There were 100 votes in favour, with 11 against and 58 abstentions.
Also on Thursday, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said it had agreed to a loan deal with Ukraine worth $14bn to $18bn.
US President Barack Obama said the IMF announcement was a "major step forward" to help Ukraine stabilise its economy and meet the long-term needs of its people.
Speaking after talks with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi in Rome on Thursday, Mr Obama said it was a "concrete signal" that the world stood united with Ukraine at a difficult time.
Ukraine's interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk had earlier told parliament the country was on the ""on the edge of economic and financial bankruptcy".
More than 100 people were killed during protests which overthrew pro-Kremlin President Yanukovych in February.More than 100 people were killed during protests which overthrew pro-Kremlin President Yanukovych in February.
They followed months of street protests sparked by Mr Yanukovych's decision to reject a planned EU trade deal in favour of closer ties with Moscow.They followed months of street protests sparked by Mr Yanukovych's decision to reject a planned EU trade deal in favour of closer ties with Moscow.
Since then, Russia has annexed the Crimean peninsula, which last week voted to become part of the Russian federation.Since then, Russia has annexed the Crimean peninsula, which last week voted to become part of the Russian federation.
The West has widely condemned the move, with US President Barack Obama warning on Wednesday of further EU and US sanctions against Moscow if there were any further incursions.The West has widely condemned the move, with US President Barack Obama warning on Wednesday of further EU and US sanctions against Moscow if there were any further incursions.
Speaking after talks with EU leaders in Brussels, Mr Obama said Russians would "recognise that they cannot achieve security, prosperity and status...through brute force". Mr Obama said on Thursday that the US hoped Russia would "walk through the door of diplomacy" and resolve the issue in a peaceful way.
In other Ukraine developments:In other Ukraine developments: