Yanukovych claims he’s still President, wants Kiev return

Ousted Ukrainian leader Viktor Yanukovych on Tuesday said that he was still the country’s legitimate president and commander-in-chief, predicting he would be able to return to Kiev soon.

“I remain not just the sole legitimate president of Ukraine but also commander-in-chief,” he said in his first public appearance in over a week, in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don.

“As soon as the circumstances allow – and I am sure there is not long to wait – I will without doubt return to Kiev,” he added, speaking Russian.

Yanukovych gave only a seven minute statement in a conference hall in Rostov-on-Don, standing in front of several Ukrainian flags.

He then left the stage alone without taking questions.