Deposed Ukrainian president says still president
Deposed Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych said on Thursday said he still considers himself to be Ukraine's head of state but asked Russia to ensure his personal security.
"I still consider myself to be the legal head of the Ukrainian state," said Yanukovych in a statement to Russian news agencies, his first comments since February 22. "I am compelled to ask the Russian Federation to ensure my personal security from the actions of extremists," he said, adding that the latest decisions by the Ukrainian parliament "do not have legitimate character."
The statement, released simultaneously by Russia's three main news agencies, gave no further clue about his whereabouts.
-Sapa