Harper says Ukraine leaning to Soviet past, condemns continuing violence

OTTAWA – Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he’s concerned Ukraine is backsliding towards its communist past under the Soviet Union.

The prime minister offered that assessment in the House of Commons in response to a question.

Harper is responding to the escalating crisis that has seen anti-government demonstrators deepening their protest by occupying four large buildings in downtown Kyiv.

Clashes between demonstrators and police have killed three protesters.

The protests began in late November when the government abandoned an agreement to strengthen economic co-operation with the European Union, in favour of closer ties with Russia.

Canada has repeatedly called on Ukraine to embrace co-operation with the democratic EU, instead of moving to align with Russia.