Those veterans are seen as freedom fighters by Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, but as fascist collaborators by his Russian counterpart Dmitri Medvedev.

VOA: standard.2009.12.25

But Viktor Yanukovich, who is now prime minister, with a past that involves more parochial offences, was warmly welcomed in Russia this week.

ECONOMIST: Russia and Ukraine: Honey, I'm home | The

In that Viktor Yushchenko joins a small but revered group that includes British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai.

BBC: President Bush and President Yushchenko

The nation received an IMF-led bailout in 2008, but Prime Minister Viktor Orban ended the 2008 IMF deal, which had been agreed under the previous government, last year.

BBC: Hungary asks for IMF and EU assistance