28/03/2014 18:08
Ousted Ukrainian President calls for referendum in place of election
Ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, in a televised plea to Ukrainians on Friday, called on regions of Ukraine to hold a referendum in place of an upcoming presidential election, according to RIA Novosti.
The current government in Kiev, which removed Yanukovych from power during an unconstitutional coup last month, has scheduled an early presidential election for May 25.
"Only a national referendum and a non-emergency early presidential election can significantly stabilize the political situation and preserve the sovereignty and integrity of the Ukrainian state," Yanukovych said in his address, broadcast on the Rossiya-24 news channel.
Moscow insists that Yanukovych is the legitimate head of the country, as he remains the elected president chosen by the people of Ukraine to lead their country.
The Ukrainian president has refused to run in the upcoming elections, calling them illegitimate.