Source CCTV reporter Iain McKinnell
Ukraine's ousted President Viktor Yanukovych made his first public appearance after a week in hiding. He spoke to reporters in the southern Russian port city of Rostov-on-Don, condemning the interim government in Ukraine as "illegitimate".
Returning to the spotlight, Yanukovych held a press conference on Friday, pledging to continue to fight for Ukraine's future.
He said: "I intend to keep fighting for the future of Ukraine against those who used fear and terror to seize the country. I've decided to state this publicly."
He claims he is still Ukraine's president and makes it clear that he will not take part in Ukraine's presidential election in May, calling it "illegal". Yanukovych lambasts the West for betraying a February 21 agreement on constitutional reform signed between his government and the opposition.
"I see the way to settle the crisis. Firstly there is an agreement that was signed but not implemented by one side. I think the West should take responsibility for this. We should return to the matter and get answers on each item of the agreement," Yanukovych said.
Yanukovych insists that Crimea remain part of Ukraine. He says that he would not ask Russia for military support, but notes that Russia must use all available resources to end the chaos and lawlessness in Ukraine.
The ousted president insists he did not flee, but rather left for security reasons. He says he and his family narrowly escaped being shot, when someone fired automatic weapons at them. He says he will return to Ukraine once he receives international guarantees for his safety.
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