Yanukovych's press conference (video)


Ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych holds a press conference in Russia’s Rostov-on-Don.

{movie}Viktor Yanukovych’s full press conference by Russia Today|right|15069{/movie}


“No one has ousted me,” Yanukovych told reporters. “I had to leave Ukraine because of a direct threat to my life and the lives of my family.”

According to Yanukovych, “nationalist fascist-like fellows representing the absolute minority of Ukrainians” took over power in Ukraine.

He described the situation in Ukraine as “complete lawlessness,” “terror” and “chaos”, saying that the politicians, including MPs, have been threatened and are working under threats.

It has nothing to do with the unity government that was negotiated with the opposition, he said.

The violence and deaths in Ukraine are the “result of the irresponsible politics of the West, which has encouraged Maidan,” Yanukovych stressed.

The current Ukrainian parliament is “not legitimate,” and the people in power are spreading the propaganda of violence, Yanukovych asserted.

When asked if he feels ashamed of his actions, Yanukovych replied that he feels ashamed and sorry for“not having been able to stabilize the situations and stop the mayhem” in Ukraine.

“I want to apologize to the Ukrainian people for what has happened in Ukraine and that I lacked strength to maintain stability.”

Crimea must remain a part of Ukraine while maintaining a broad autonomy, Yanukovych stressed.

He ruled out any possibility that he will ask Russia for military help to resolve the situation there.

Yanukovych said he understands the concerns of Crimeans, who want to “protect their homes and families” from “extremists.”

When asked why he chose to leave Ukraine for Rostov-on-Don, Yanukovych said that he has “an old friend there,” who can provide him with a “temporary safe haven.”

Yanukovych made it to Russia thanks to “patriotically-minded officers,” who helped to “save his life.” He has not met Russian President Vladimir Putin, but they have already arranged a meeting over the phone.

Yanukovych left Ukraine’s capital amid the worst surge of violence in the country’s post-Soviet history, which left dozens of people dead and hundreds injured. The new regime immediately capitalized on his absence from the capital, voting to strip Yanukovych of his powers and announcing early elections for May 25.

The Ukrainian parliament (Verkhovna Rada) has voted in favor of trying Yanukovych at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague for alleged “crimes against humanity during the recent peaceful protests.” A Kiev court on Friday issued an order for the ousted president’s arrest.

www.belsat.eu/en, following RussiaToday

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