"Everyone should help Ukraine," says French FM

"Everyone should help Ukraine," says French FM

He noted that Ukraine is in Europe, but not in the EU, and therefore Russia and the EU "should not be opposed." Instead, he said it should be made possible for Ukraine to cooperate with both.

Russia, however, has threatened that it could suspend its financial assistance to Ukraine. At the same time, it challenged the legitimacy of the "dictatorial methods" of the new authorities in Ukraine, that turned to the West for emergency financial assistance, estimated at USD 35 billion for the next two years.

Asked about the support that the EU can provide, Fabius said that France "can act only if the IMF helps."

"We must quickly deal with the economic situation in Ukraine. It is necessary first of all for the IMF to support it, and it represents reforms that will not be easy," said the French minister.

Itar-Tass reported that Fabius also said that "unity, democracy and solidarity" were the three principles that Kiev must adhere to in solving the political crisis. He then explained that by "unity" he meant "not only territorial integrity, but the unity of the authorities."

The Ukrainian parliament still has to appoint a new prime minister and the interim government after the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych on Saturday. In clashes between protesters and police last week alone, 82 people died.