Turchynov said Russian President Vladimir Putin had so far resisted intense international pressure and refused all contacts with Kiev aimed at resolving the worst breakdown in East-West relations since the Cold War.
Yanukovych still enjoys Moscow’s recognition and remains a political wildcard who the Kremlin says is pushing for Russia’s immediate invasion of Ukraine in the most explosive east-west standoff since the Cold War.
Russia’s parliament voted Saturday to allow President Vladimir Putin to send troops into its western neighbour – a decision US President Barack Obama swiftly branded a “violation of Ukrainian sovereignty”.
