Russian president says Yanukovich still the legitimate leader of Ukraine and reserves the right to use force in Crimea. Russian President Vladimir Putin said there had been an unconstitutional coup in Ukraine and that ousted leader Viktor Yanukovich was still the legitimate leader of the country despite giving up all power. At a news conference on Tuesday at his residence, the former KGB spy also told reporters that there was no need to use force in Ukraines Crimea region, but that Russia reserved the right to do so as a last resort. This developed as warning shots were fired as unarmed Ukrainian soldiers approached Russian forces guarding a seized airbase near Sevastopol. Taking and answering questions in Russian - there appeared to be no foreign press at the news conference - he said Russia reserved the right to use all means to protect Russian and Ukrainian citizens in Ukraine. The comments were Putins first public reaction to the crisis in Ukraine since the ousting of Yanucovich. This developed as US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived Kiev to support the countrys embattled government, while stepping up pressure on Moscow to withdraw its troops from Crimea, calling it an occupation. The US government also announced that it would work to get $1bn in loans to help lessen the impact on Ukranians of the proposed energy subsidy cuts. No political future Putin told the news conference that Yanukovich had no political future and that Russia had sheltered the 63-year-old leader to save his life. The West is facing its biggest confrontation with Moscow since the Cold War after Putin declared the right to use force in its neighbour and Ukraine put its military on alert. John Kerry is due to meet Ukrainian leaders on Tuesday, in Kiev, to discuss the ongoing political crisis. He and other top diplomats have repeatedly warned Russia about the consequences of intervention. Overnight on Monday, the US announced it was suspending military exercises and trade talks with Russia. But Putin said that sanctions would effect other economies too: Those considering sanctions should think about the consequences ...In this tightly connected world we can of course harm each other but it will be mutual harm, and they need to think about that. As far as the G8, we are preparing for the summit, we are ready to host our colleagues if they come, but they don’t have to. He told reporters that Russia was prepared to financially assist Ukraine but that late gas payments were preventing it from doing so. If Ukraine fails to pay for its February gas supplies, it will owe Russia $2bn. Humanitarian mission On Monday, Vitaly Churkin, Russias envoy to the UN, told an emergency meeting of the Security Council that Yanukovich requested Russias armed forces to enter Ukraine and establish law and order. Reading a statement he said was from the fugitive president, Churkin said the request came because as the legitimately elected representative Yanukovich believes Ukraine is on the brink of civil war. Churkin quoted Yanukovich as saying the life and security and the rights of people, particularly in the southeast part in Crimea, are being threatened and that there were open acts of terror and violence. In response, Samantha Power, the US ambassador, told the meeting: One might think that Moscow has just become the rapid response arm of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Posted on: Tue, 04 Mar 2014 13:16:20 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015