Russia president raps Ukraine events as ‘a coup’

Russian President Vladimir Putin has denounced Ukrainian opposition’s power grab as a coup, noting that Victor Yanukovych remains legal president of Ukraine.

Speaking to media in a news conference at his residence outside the capital Moscow, the Russian president censured recent developments in neighboring Ukraine as unconstitutional and a coup.

Putin admitted Ukrainian people’s call for change, but pointed out that illegally changing the status quo could not be encouraged and endorsed.

According to Putin, Yanukovych is still Ukraine’s legitimate president, even though he does not have actual power.

Russian leader stressed that there is no need to use military force in the southern region of Crimea, but that he will use Russian forces to protect civilians in Ukraine, particularly ethnic Russians in eastern and southern parts of the country.

“We are not going to a war against the Ukrainian people,” he said, adding, “I want you to understand it unambiguously. If we do take a decision, it would only be to protect Ukrainian citizens. Let anybody in the military dare, and they’d be shooting their own people, who would stand up in front of us. Shoot at women and children. I’d like to see anyone try and order such a thing in Ukraine.”

Putin added that Russia has reserved the right to use its troops in Ukraine’s Crimea region as a “last resort.”

He also dismissed the allegation that Russia is acting illegitimately in Ukraine, noting that even if Moscow does use force in Ukraine, it would not violate international law.

Ukraine has been gripped by violence since November 2013, when ousted president refrained from signing an Association Agreement with the European Union in favor of closer ties with Russia.