14 Apr 2014 09:08

Yanukovych: Ukraine on the verge of civil war, urgently needs referendum

ROSTOV-ON-DON. April 14 (Interfax) - The blood spilled in southeastern Ukraine has put the country on the verge of a civil war, Viktor Yanukovych told a press conference in Rostov-on-Don on Sunday.

He called on law enforcement officers not to fulfill criminal orders and not to open fire on civilians.

The use of force in eastern Ukraine started after a meeting of Ukrainian interim President Oleksandr Turchynov, Interior Minister Arsen Avakov and Ukrainian Security Service chief Valentyn Nalyvaichenko with the CIA director.

An urgent referendum is the only way to avert a civil war in Ukraine, Yanukovych stated.