Ukraine's Yanukovich backs 'compromise'

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich told a senior U.S. official on Thursday that "dialogue and compromise" were the only way out of the political crisis gripping Ukraine. Yanukovich met US Assistant Secretary of State, Victoria Nuland to discuss a solution to anti-government protests which have swept the ex-Soviet republic since November last year. They also discussed political reform and possible further negotiations between the President and opposition leaders. In talks with Nuland, Yanukovich said he supported opposition demands for reform of the constitution though this had to be carried out through a process involving the constitutional court and further hearings in parliament. Protests began when Yanukovich spurned an EU trade agreement last year in pursuit of closer ties with Russia.