Yanukovych vows to "fight for Ukraine"

Yanukovych vows to "fight for Ukraine"

Addressing a news conference in the southern Russian city of Rostov, Yanukovych, for whom the new authorities in Kiev have issued an arrest warrant, said he was forced to leave Ukraine because he feared for his life and the lives of his family members.

He added that, despite everything, he "still had the most support in the country."

Yanukovych said that "regular elections, adoption of a new Constitution, and an investigation against all those who perpetrated violence in the streets" were ahead of him.

"We need to provide normal life to the citizens of Ukraine. It will be difficult to get out of this situation. It will take time to deal with all the causes and consequences of these events, but Ukraine is a strong country and we will resolve everything," said Yanukovych.

He recalled that an agreement had been signed with the opposition, but that they subsequently took up arms, "and began to destroy homes, churches, culture, innocent people."

"And that is still happening," he said.

Asked by reporters if he "felt ashamed," he said he had to apologize first to his people "for allowing this to happen, and not ensuring stability."

Speaking of Crimea, he said that it must remain a part of Ukraine, "of course, with its autonomy."

"I believe that any military action is unacceptable, I believe that Ukraine will remain united," he added.

Asked when he plans to return to his country, said that this will happen when the conditions are fulfilled for himself and his family to be safe there.
Yanukovych, responding to a question, said talks with the opposition were still on the table, but that he has not had any contacts with them in the past days.

"I want a stable Ukraine, enjoying great prosperity," said Yanukovych. "Now everything has turned to chaos and destruction, lawlessness."

He added that a great responsibility for the failure of the agreement with the opposition was on the West and the EU. "The West was in cahoots with leaders of the opposition on Maidan and allowed this to happen," said Yanukovych.

"I never gave an order to the police to shoot. The police did not have weapons until the last moment, until strong attacks against them were launched, " he said, and added that an independent investigation was needed.