In December 2013 and January 2014, the Kremlin tried to help Yanukovych crush protest [in Ukraine] and thereby make it possible for him to complete his turn from the EU towards Eurasia. Yanukovych claimed that both Europe and Russia wanted Ukraine, and each needed to pay him off. While the EU refused, Putin was ready to offer Yanukovych money.
—Timothy Snyder, The Road To Unfreedom: Russia, Europe, America
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