Viktor Yanukovych: it’s bad that Crimea separated from Ukraine

Former President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych at a press conference in Rostov expressed regret over the fact that Crimea was separated from Ukraine. “Is it good that Crimea separated from Ukraine? No, this is bad,” Yanukovych said.

At the same time, Yanukovych laid the responsibility for joining Crimea to the Ukrainian radicals. He called the referendum on the peninsula "the result of the Maidan provocation." Yanukovych does not question the results of the referendum.

Speaking about the events of 2014, Yanukovych called his main mistake that he did not sign a decree on the introduction of martial law in the country. According to Yanukovych, such a decree was the only way to "stop the radicals." "I didn't go for bloodshed," Yanukovych said.

At the same time, the former Ukrainian president noted that even today he would not be able to decide on the introduction of martial law. "That would be the start of a civil war," Yanukovych said.

The press conference is broadcast by the 112 Ukraine TV channel.

• Viktor Yanukovych was removed from power in February 2014 as a result of mass street protests in Kyiv. Yanukovych fled to Russia. In Ukraine, criminal cases have been opened against him on a number of counts, including the killing of people on the Maidan, the seizure of power in the country, and the embezzlement of public funds.