KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s embattled president slammed the West on yesterday for supporting the massive street protests calling for his ouster and announced plans to partially join a Moscow-led economic union — a move likely to deepen Ukraine’s political crisis.

Speaking in a televised interview with some hand-picked journalists, President Viktor Yanukovych criticised foreign nations for meddling in Ukraine’s internal affairs.

Senior Western diplomats have in recent weeks attended and expressed support for the sprawling demonstrations on Kiev’s Independence Square, known as the Maidan. Assistant US Secretary of State Victoria Nuland even gave out sandwiches to protesters there.

“It is very important. This is our internal matter,” Yanukovych said. “Some countries should not meddle in our internal affairs and should not believe that they can be the bosses here.”

“I am categorically against having someone come here and teach us how to live,” a visibly angered Yanukovych added.

Yanukovych has faced nearly a month of angry protests since his abrupt decision to shelve a political and trade agreement with the 28-nation European Union and turn toward Russia instead. The rallies grew larger, swelling to hundreds of thousands, after riot police violently broke up the first small protests, injuring dozens.

The president’s fiery comments came two days after Russia announced a major bailout loan for Ukraine, which has been facing a possible default. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s economic package for Ukraine includes a pledge to buy $15 billion worth of Ukrainian state bonds and a sharp discount on Russian natural gas for Ukrainian customers.

In Moscow, Putin insisted that the bailout was driven by a desire to help a neighbour that was in dire straits and wasn’t aimed at breaking off Ukraine’s ties with the EU.

“We have nothing to do with that whatsoever,” Putin said.

The president’s comments were likely to provoke anger from the protesters who have occupied central Kiev for nearly a month.

Jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, a top opposition leader, denounced Yanukovych’s agreements with Moscow as state treason.

Some experts believe Yanukovych is hoping the protesters will disperse on their own, as he faces a threat of Western sanctions if he resorts to violence again.

But many protesters say they have no plans to go home while Yanukovych is still in power.

“Ukrainians will not accept this kind of sell-off,” said protester Anatoly Sushchenya, 31.