Russia denounced Ukraine’s interim leaders as dictators and blasted the western governments that it said helped bring them to power, in a sign that the toppling of Viktor Yanukovich as president is triggering a regional stand-off.
The Russian foreign ministry claimed Ukraine’s new leadership was infringing on the human rights of Russians and other minorities in Ukraine. “This is headed towards the suppression of dissent in several regions of Ukraine by dictatorial and sometimes almost terrorist means,” the ministry stated.
Dmitry Medvedev, the prime minister, said Moscow’s bailout for Kiev would remain on hold until a “normal, legitimate government” was in office.