Yanukovych says he's still Ukraine President

Simferopol, Ukraine (BLN) - Ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych gave a defiant performance Friday in Russia, insisting he remained his country's legitimate elected leader and was not giving up.


"I intend to continue the fight for the future of Ukraine against those who, with fear and with terror, are attempting to replace the power," Yanukovych said in Russian, not Ukrainian.

"Nobody has overturned me. I was compelled to leave Ukraine due to a direct threat to my life and my nearest and dearest."

Making his first public appearance since his ouster Saturday, Yanukovych said the newly appointed interim government was not legitimate and did not represent the majority of Ukraine's 45 million citizens.

The news conference, which lasted more than an hour, came as Ukraine's authorities faced rising tensions and a possible threat of secession in its Russian-majority southern Crimean region.

The government accused Russian Black Sea forces of trying to seize two airports Friday in Crimea but said Ukrainian security forces had prevented them from taking control.

Interior Minister Arsen Avakov earlier characterized the presence of the unidentified armed men, who wore uniforms without insignia, as an "armed invasion."

Kerry talks to Russian foreign minister

The Russian Foreign Ministry said maneuvers of armored vehicles from the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Crimea were needed for security and were in line with bilateral agreements.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said he spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Friday morning about the airport and military activities, and Lavrov told Kerry that the Russians "are not engaging in any violation of the sovereignty" of Ukraine. Russia has a military base agreement with the country.
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