The European Union and the United States have pledged strong political and financial support to Ukraine and warned Russia not to interfere in its affairs, after pro-western politicians seized control from President Viktor Yanukovich and his government.
The whereabouts of Mr Yanukovich and his top officials were a mystery last night. A parliament now dominated by his opponents named as acting president Oleksandr Turchinov – a close ally of ex-premier Yulia Tymoshenko, whose controversial jail term was quashed on Saturday.
“One of Ukraine’s priorities is a return to the course of Euro-integration, the battle for which was how Maidan began,” Mr Turchinov said yesterday, using the local name for Kiev’s Independence Square and the protest centred there.
He said Ukraine’s new authorities also wanted relations with Russia to be on a “new, equal and good-neighbourly footing, that recognises and takes into account Ukraine’s European choice”.
With some people in eastern and southern Ukraine angry at the revolution unfolding in central and western regions, fears are growing that Russia could use its influence to foment unrest and even calls for certain areas – particularly Crimea – to secede.
Susan Rice, the US national security adviser, said any Russian military intervention "would be a grave mistake".
At least 82 died last week and more than 600 were injured as the security forces opened fire on protesters, most only carrying shields, sticks and clubs.
Ambassador withdrawn
Russia's foreign ministry announced last night it was withdrawing its ambassador to Kiev due to "the deteriorating situation in Ukraine and the need for a comprehensive analysis of the situation".
White House spokesman Jay Carney called for calm and said the "unshakeable principle guiding events must be that the people of Ukraine determine their own future".
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov complained Ukraine's "opposition" was flouting an EU-brokered crisis deal and "having in effect seized power in Kiev, [it has] refused to disarm and continued to place its bets on violence".
Moscow has halted a loan promised to Mr Yanukovich, leaving Ukraine in dire financial straits and facing possible default. Major EU states have offered support, and International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde said the fund was "ready to engage . . . [with] policy advice, financial support" if Ukraine would "undertake a reform of its economy".
Olli Rehn, EU commissioner for economic and monetary affairs, said the bloc was “ready to engage in substantial financial assistance” for Kiev.
