You're reading: Tymoshenko supports protest by Ukrainian businessmen

The mass protest by businessmen is a turning point in the struggle for independence, democracy and freedom in Ukraine, Batkivschyna Party leader, ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko said, as quoted by her press office on Sunday.

"I view these events as a turning point in the struggle for Ukrainian independence, democracy and freedom. Symbolically, the event is taking place shortly before the anniversary of the Orange Revolution," she said.

Tymoshenko said that businessmen may achieve their goal if they have a wish. "I think this is the beginning of the end of the incumbent government," she said.

"There is a mutual dependence. They [the businessmen] have become a force to be reckoned with. Yet they know that street protests are insufficient. They realize that they need a political force, which can support them"
ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko

Tymoshenko affirmed consolidation in the Ukrainian political sector. "This is not [the consolidation] of corrupt politicians, but this is [the consolidation] of citizens who want to fight for their interests together with my team. I want to remind everyone that my political team was at the outset of resistance to the so-called tax reform of the [national] administration," she said.

She thinks though that the protest may reach its goal only if it gains the support of a political force. "There is a mutual dependence. They [the businessmen] have become a force to be reckoned with. Yet they know that street protests are insufficient. They realize that they need a political force, which can support them," she said.

Earlier reports said that Ukrainian businessmen had held protest against new tax conditions.