how do they regain the credibility lost own the viktor yanukovych. we start in kiev. >> it was the kind of story over which tv producers sallivate. a young journalist falling in love with a policeman on the other side of the barricade. enter ukraine's most watched russian language channel owned by an oligarch aligned with viktor yanukovych, invited her on. if the producers hoped for a touching tail of reconciliation, they were in for disappointment. >> since the beginning, i believe that this is what you were expecting to hear about, isn't it. >> and at that point she says, "and for this reason i hate", and she lists is number of people in power. >> and then says, "and i hate inter for the lie that is you fold and the hatred that you spread." >> and she says that, "you, all of you, all of you journalists your hands." (clapping) >> we contacted inter multiple times for a response. none was forthcoming. it was one moment but it summarises what ukrainians have seen on their video channels over the three months of the demonstrations and the last four yea

viktor yanukovych is not coming back to this country. there is clearly a disconnect herhere in a lot of different sectors, what we heard from secretary kerry or foreign minister lavrov, in this entire process as we've been discussing over the past few days, there has been a clear stand on the various players in this equation where we have a heard perspective on what is going on, and they just don't seem to be able to deviate, whether it's the ukrainians themselves, the crimeaens, the russians, the west, be it the americans or europeans, everybody looks at this thing from their own perspective, from their own kind of blinders, if you will. it just doesn't seem like anybody is willing to take off those blinders. they're just looking at this through their own perspective, and it's not getting anyone anywhere, clearly. >> it's not. i need to get a break in here, but phil, i want to you stay on the line because there are issues we need to discuss here. we talked about brussels, and the sanctions and how difficult that will be to hash out and

president viktor yanukovych took flight. those developments are welcome for a lot of the people, particularly in the west of the country. he took you there and showed you how busloads of her testers would regularly travel to tf, but while the predominant feeling is now one of hope, many also feel it is too early to sit back and relax. >> since the revolution, the city has been without a police force, but hundreds of people have volunteered to patrol the streets from their cars. >> i have been doing it for six days. i started off in kiev, but then i returned to my hometown because i wanted to do something. there are 600 drivers out every night, and it will not be long before there are 1000 of us. >> slogans such as ukraine starts with you and slaves do not go to paradise. the head of the group expects his people will have to lug the hole left by the police for some time to come. >> the police are not in a position to do their duties. they are part of the old, corrupt power, and they will not be able to start work again until

the request of ousted president viktor yanukovych. viktor yanukovych has been under russian protection since fleeing ukraine. no matter what happiness in ukraine, vladimir putin is shaping history for the region and the world. his public opinion is carefully orchestrated. what do be know about vladimir putin, the leader. we begin with allen schauffler and frightening details. >> it's been a phenomenal career. from modest upbringing. >> vladimir putin at st. petersburg was an unusual student. a trouble maker is how he is described. he later earned a law degree and ph.d. in economics. from school he went into the intelligence service, rising to the rank of ltcol in the kgb, going cold war duty in east germany. the chaos after the collapse of the soviet union brought

he said viktor yanukovych is still legitimate president in his view, although he recognizes the parliament in kiev. he said there's no need to send troops to ukraine. he said use of force was the last option. that's the latest from president putin. let's bring you up to where we are in this crisis. ukraine's envoy says russian has deployed 16,000 troops here in crimea. russian said its troops went in on a written request from the ousted president mr. yanukovych u.s. secretary of state john kerry is due in kiev later today. they will start consultations on how to shore up ukrainian economy. let's just show you the pictures from the military air base a few hours ago. there was this shooting incident. what happened was the ukrainian soldiers, unarmed ukrainian soldiers singing the ukrainian national anthem, carrying the ukrainian flag marched towards where the russian soldiers were. these are russian troops who had taken over the military base. the ukrainians had been housed in a section of the base. they never actually left. but they wanted to take over or regain control of the area, the ope

speaking from russia and in rub jp, viktor yanukovych -- russian, viktor yanukovych says his governmentas not been overthrown. >> a lot has happened in russia on friday during diplomatic rounds. for moscow we heard from the foreign ministry expressing concern about the escalation of violence in the ukraine. they have concerns about the ruling party, the government in kiev, saying that they are extremists, and nationalists. that is something that was echoed during a press conference in the southern city where the ousted ukrainian president viktor yanukovych had this to say about those who are now in power. >> i repeat it over again - i am a legitimately elected pratt of ukraine, and was elected at free and democratic elections, and i remain the legitimate president of ukraine. >> russia put out a press release from the foreign ministry saying they have mobilized some mobile units, but that is perfectly legitimate under the agreement between ukraine and treaties signed in the past, and the seaport, and should there be a crisis or threat to security that russia is able to mobilise its forc

. >> that is certainly the russian case, that viktor yanukovych, say what you will about him, and thereare a lot of bad things to say about him that are true, he was elected. the process of getting him out of office was a revolution. everybody has been calling it that. i think that is correct. a vote was held under excited circumstances, and the russians are refusing to acknowledge that was legitimate. department- state outvote patriotic overture of office, but the russians are using this confusion and excitement to say things are in determined yet. so, we can do what we want. steele, what you think should be the response to this plan to vote? you are saying the west should cool out. >> i do not think the vote is terribly important, and it is not at all clear that even if the vote went ahead and the majority said they want to join russia, that putin would accept that. he said he does not want them to join russia. i think it is a bit of a sideshow. what is more important is happening in kiev, as what is more important is the representative nature of the government. it was a nonconstituti

with putin and viktor yanukovych, there can be no diplomacy. we have no choice but to defend the country ourselves. >> so clearly the government here are worried, using aggress if language, are they capable of acting, sending the military in. they have given no indication that they can do it yet. nick schifrin live for us. we'll visit with you in a moment. we want to get to the united states where president obama has been working the phones, speaking with the russian president and the leaders of france and canada. libby casey joins us in washington with more on this. what did the president say to the world leaders? >> a 90 minute phone call with vladimir putin. that in itself is noteworthy. the white house says president obama expressed deep concern over russia's clear violation and a breach of the international law. all carefully and tensionally chosen phrases. the read out shows that the united states calls on russia to de-escalating tensions and says: >> now, the white house is trying to make russia feel like it's them against the greater gl

interpol is mulling over a request to arrest viktor yanukovych.ut evidence has emerged to suggest that others may have been involved in orchestrating the violence there in kiev. >> that's right. of course amongst the protesters when i was here in february, there was a generally held belief that there were snipers acting on behalf of or taking orders from viktor yanukovych, the president who has now fled. but in recent days there have been claims, controversial claims that perhaps they may have been snipers who have been acting or loyal to figures in the opposition who are now in the interim government, actually responsible for some killings. in fact shooting people on both sides as a prove okay tur. they have a lot of people angry, but some people are taking the claims seriously. >> they were scenes that shocked the world. now independence square in kiev is a shrine to dozens of protesters. when viktor yanukovych tried to storm the protest. >> the flowers marked the spot where some protesters were killed in february. the chief prosecutor says ther

viktor yanukovych is the legitimate president. we call for help from vladimir putin and russia, but ask for help from viktor yanukovych. we hope and rely on him. >> viktor yanukovych's call for removal on pour was a coup and they want a referendum on whether to split from ukraine and join russia. >> earlier we were joined by richard white from the hudson institute to discuss the which ford. >> ukrainian forces are in the process of relocating, from crimea. that should occupy the russian forces for a while. there's no evidence that they plan to move into eastern ukraine. >> why do you think they'll stop with crimea, people tried to judge what putin would do in the past, and no one predicted he'd take crimea. >> we are about to have a security summit in a couple of days, and it would secure an anti-russian coalition. it will take a while for the russians to absorb crimea. they have a bunch of things they need to do, and it's just useful for russia to have this dangling over the head of the ukrainian government. if they cause problem

church -- vitaly churkin had a letter from the former president viktor yanukovych. russia is accused of invading crimea. "no, we were invite in." it prompted strong condemnation from other ambassadors. >> russia had every right to wish events in ukraine turned out differently. it does not have the right to show that by using military force and trying to convince the community that up is down and black is white. >> russians claim that mr viktor yanukovych called for russian military intervention. we are talking about a former leader who abandoned his office, capital and his country. the idea that his pronouncements convey legitimacy is farr fetched and in keeping with russia's bogus reasons. >> that letter you have there, do you believe it makes your military intervention in crimea legal? >> well, we believe that the person who we believe legally is president of ukraine also shares our concerns, the concerns of a large segment of the ukrainian population about what is going on. it's appealing to russia to use the armed forces to change the situation and prevent it fr

we help and rely on him. >> viktor yanukovych has not spoken publicly. donetsk wants to hold their own election on whether to split from ukraine. >> president obama will try to work to rally u.s. allies around ukraine. in a few hours he'll fly to europe for an emergency meeting of the g7. randall pinkston has more. >> initially president obama's purpose for attending the meeting in europe was to go to the 53-nation nuclear summit. when russia took over crimea, president obama called for an emergency meeting of the g7. he will be attending two meetings. on the sidelines he'll be meeting with worlds of the industrialized nation, except for one, that being vladimir putin. the obama administration is keeping a close eye on the take over of the belbek airbase take over and the mobilization of 20,000 troops along the ukrainian border. at a briefing on friday, in preparation for the trip to europe by the president, susan rice was asked what is the meaning of russia's mobilization of those troops? >> it's not clear what that signals, the russians have stated tha

viktor yanukovych speaking just on the other side of the border, he made a couple of points. he said he still believes he is the legitimate president of this country. he said that any presidential election that's planned, for example, the election planned for may, that's not legitimate as well. but he also took a moment to take a swipe at washington saying that the money that. has been promised from washington to--should not be going to the government here in kiev. >> u.s. law code for bids providing financial help to the authorities of any state where there is an unlawfully elected president. >> reporter: now whether or not the government here really can be seen as a coup d'etat, that is the question. and, indeed, that is yanukovyc yanukovych's position, there may be question about that money. >> phil ittner from kiev, thank you very much. >>> many ukrainians say they're proud of the protest that ousted viktor yanukovych, but others say that the gift is illegitimate and are full of right-wing extremists. we looked into those allegatio allegations. >> reporter: they are young

viktor yanukovych called on washington not to give financial currentkraine's leaders, accusing them of being bandits. here is what he had to say pick >> i would like to remind you that i remain the legitimate president of the ukraine and as is safe to do so, i shall return to my country. i wish to emphasize that the presidential elections that were due to be held on the 25th of may following the forced coup d'État will not be legitimate. former resident of ukraine was speaking even as negotiations between the united states and russia over the ukrainian crisis remain today at a standstill. john kerry decided to postpone his trip to russia until russia engaged with the u.s. proposals to tackle the crisis. russia has said it is drafting proposals of its own. for more on the growing tensions between moscow and western countries over the unfolding crisis in ukraine we cannot speak to our correspondent in moscow. with thank you for being us. first of all, there seems to be this growing tension. sergei lavrov indicated russia was drawing up proposals of its own since fundamentally moscow disa

in kiev there's a feeling that the deaths were ordered by ex-president viktor yanukovych, and now the european union has moved to freeze the assets of viktor yanukovych and 17 associates over allegations of human rites abuses. there's an investigation going on into the abuses. there's evidence that there were sniper positions not far from where i was standing. some are worried evidence might have been destroyed when they moved in to clear the streets. i don't know how far they'll get with the investigation. >> thank you, intoed eem reporting to kiev. >> more unrest in the eastern city of kharkiv. hundreds of demonstrators taking control of buildings. >> ukrainian police surround a building in donetsk. a man calling himself the people's governor. he is for closer ties with russia, against the leaders of ukraine. he broke his hand during a fight with a political rival. >> i would like to be as independent as possible. from the rest of ukraine. we call upon vladimir putin to restore justice. >> it's a story of the two you cranes. people that we met in the east speak about a take over. it

you claimed that president viktor yanukovych ran away. the opposition leaders said they could not control the people on the streets and he left because his life was threatened. that is a contradiction. can you address that? and the issue of whether there are extremist's in the government. >> i can repeat it now. as to viktor yanukovych, he left his constitutional duties. the agreement started with the demand to bring to the parliament the old constitution. and then to start amending. it was provisioned that immediately after the decision, the president would sign it. he disappeared. >> why? >> a lot of questions which have come from his own party. they called him a person who betrayed them. he even failed to come to the rally. he promised to come but he did not. then he disappeared. we discovered he was in russia. now he gave the press conference and stated that he is legally -- the legal president. he left his constitutional duties. that is why the parliament took that decision. they could have announced impeachment or do what they did.

demonstrators filled the streets in the east of ukraine, calling for viktor yanukovych to come home. >> russia's operation to seize belbek was larger and more violent than other bases. jennifer glasse takes a look at crimea, and the impact on the crisis. >> the take over of the belbek outside of sevastopol is another example of russia tightening its grip on ukraine. it was an aggressive move in daylight, something we have not seen much of. there was an ultimatum to the ukrainian forces. the russians told them to give up their weapons. they were negotiating twice, the russians moved in aggressively. armoured personnel carriers moved in, firing shots into the air. the ukrainians lined up and sang the anthem. that's the defines we have seen from the ukrainian forces that hadn't wanted to give up bases and ships, but in most cases they were outnumbered and overrun. they are in a limbo. what will happen to them next is unclear. many want to stay with the ukrainian military. where it will be, we don't know. they and their families would need to be evacuated, and we saw what russia is doing

vitaly churkin had a letter from deposed president viktor yanukovych. russia is accused of invading crimea. "no", said vitaly churkin, "we were invited in." it prompted strong condemnation. >> russia has every right to wish that events in ukraine turned out differently. it does not have the right to express the unhappiness by using military force or trying to convince the world community that up is down and black is white. >> the russian representative claims that viktor yanukovych called for russian military intervention. "we are talking about a former leader who abandoned his office, capital and country. the idea that his pronouncements conveys legitimacy is farr fetched and in keeping with the rest of russia's bogus justification." the russian ambassador spoke to report erts. >> that letter you got there, do you believe it makes russia's move into crimea legal. the the president of ukraine shares our concerns, concerns of a large segment of the ukrainian population and is appealing to russia to use the armed forces to change the situation and prevent

in the drama-filled games, president viktor yanukovych left the country, russian forces landed and took control of the crimean peninsula, and now that part of ukraine, formerly part of russia is heading towards a referendum in its future status. if crimea declares independence, it's assumed it's an interim status before it lines up with russia. the u.s., britain, france, germany, italy, canada and japan promised to take action against russia if it happens. what's at take for the united states. what american national interest is on the line. when people in other countries argue over a territory and international border changes. prime minister arseniy yatsenyuk comes to washington hoping the u.s. will back its threats with action. >> president obama hosted his first meeting with arseniy yatsenyuk. >> the interests of the united states is making sure that the people of ukraine can determine their own destiny. that is something that here in the united states we believe in deeply. i know it's something you believe in deeply as well. and you can rest assured that you will have our strong supp

viktor yanukovich on the run. is this showing they can't take the progress for granted and it is not necessarily a win. >> yeah, that is absolutely true, morgan. the new government in kiev has a lot of challenges. the east is looking to russia for industrial reasons and for culture reasons. so too crimea for culture reasons and the black sea fleet, russia has a military interest here. the black fleet an hour from here and 15,000 forces there on their bases and russia wants to protect its interesting, interest in the military and the ethnic russians here. it is a very, very complicated time for a brand new government in kiev and balancing all of this. things are moving quickly. a brand new prime minister and parliament and new elections and referendums on crimea coming up. >> in fact, jennifer, things are moving so quickly, we are turning to phil with updates, phil, what are you hearing there on the ground? >> here in moscow, we are hearing, they are saying what they are trying to do, trying to avoid in crimea is a

russia has a letter from viktor yanukovych, where he invites the troops to go into ukraine. it's a double reality. i think russia loses the sense of what has happened here in ukraine. it's very sad. >> andriy shevchenko, a member of ukraine's parliament, thank you for joining us. >> for more on the situation in ukraine, i'm chined by nina khruscheva, an associate professor in the graduate program, of the new school and alexander motyl, a professor at rutgers university, and you are a ukrainian american, alexander of the good to have you here. i want to start with the threats from the soviet troops - threaten to attack the ukrainian ships and troops, then they deny it. is it a war of words by russia >>. >> it's a war of nerves. it's been going on for three or four days, before that, where threats have been made, rescinded and denied. they are trying to unnerve the forces in crimea. with respect to the black sea fleet, the ukrainian units, the russians probably want to avoid armed conflict. this is one way of persuading them to surrender. or perhaps leave altogether. >> do you

we ask for help from viktor yanukovych. >> viktor yanukovych has not spoken publicly since the annexation of crimea, and separatists say they want to hold their open elections to decide whether or not to split from ukraine. we'll bring you the latest, and remember you can get up to the minute information on our website aljazeera.com. >> despite talks between the israelis and the palestinians, there were violent clashes this weekend in the waest bank. some palestinians are frustrated with their open president for continuing to pursue peace. >> showing their anger at israeli shoulders, a group of me hurled rocks outside a hospital in the west bank, a hospital filled with those killed and injured in a raid by israeli forces. >> this was like a war at 2:45am we woke up. they were firing towards the house. they ordered us to leave, we did. my two children were injured and the house almost destroyed. >> the israeli soldiers entered the camp to arrest a man israel suspects was involved in past attacks. he and two others were killed in the ensuing gun fight. >> when someone tries to carried out t

>> and today we heard from viktor yanukovych insisting he is ukraine's leader.ell us more about that. >> well, he held that press conference just across the boarder in russia. he said first and foremost that he is still in control, the legitimate leader of ukraine. let's have a listen to what he had to say today. >> translator: i would like to remind you that -- i remain the only legitimate president but also the chief commander of the country. >> now, del, the response here has already been one of confusion. a lot of people saying the ousted president seems almost diluted. and even those in kiev are backing that statement or opinion up by quoting vladimir putin of all people, the russian president himself said that viktor yanukovych has no political future in ukraine. >> it seems that any diplomatic solution to thises crisis has now hit a roadblock? >> yeah, it does seem that way, doesn't it del? both sides the west and the east seem to be standing hard on their positions. we have seen the possibility of a proposal from secretary of state john kerry sent to mos

thank you. >> reporter: well, that was the former ukrainian president, viktor yanukovych making an officialtement in the russian city of rostonondon but he doesn't see himself as a the former ukraine president saying there he is the only legitimate president of ukraine, speaking of course from russia where he fled to after those mass protests that have been, that swept ukraine for months. let's go to our correspondent paul brennan in the ukrainian capitol kiev for us and, paul, viktor yanukovych dismissing any authority other than his own. >> yes, much of the rhetoric in this defiant address is familiar to people who saw his initial address just after he fled from ukraine over a week ago. he is talking about the i' illigitamacy in the kiev and appealing the united states to not support the kiev administration. remember, too, the prime minister is going to washington tomorrow and i think the plea from yanukovych and americans not to recognize the current kiev administration frankly is not going to hold any water at all and certainly not paid heed to. the initial reaction in the room with peo

even russia recognized the problem two weeks ago and pledged a $15 billion, but that was before viktor yanukovych was deposed. a russian intervention, or lingering tensions lead to go a debt default would cause havoc to trade, even here in the united states. for some contact contacts, in china many investors pulled their investments out of emerging markets and put them in bonds, gold and stable currency. in turn the u.s. stock market for a few weeks took a dive. instability in the ukraine could put us on that road again. because investors, including millions of americans who have 401ks, they do not like market volatility. when coupled with how it might hurt russia, that is a recipe for extreme volatility. we go to philip ittner in russ russia. russia has a lot invested in ukraine, what are russia's economic exposures? >> they are quite substantial. they are very close ties between ukraine and russia. not least of which their currency. the ruble it's believed that the severe deep that we're seeing in the ukrainian currency. there are other issues at play, not least the transit of natura

the new bit to come out of this he read a letter from the former president viktor yanukovich that was russian's man in ukraine in which viktor yanukovich asked for the russian forces to come to the aid of ukraine. take a listen to the long standing russian ambassador to the u.n. reading the letter. >> the country is in outright terror and driven by the west and people are persecuted on political and language grounds and i appeal to president of russia putin to use the russian federation to protect the people of ukraine. >> so the reading of the letter is new, and that is very interesting, but the russian position, tony, has not changed, the russians they are coming to aid of the people in the ukraine, particularly in crimea because they are seeing the opposing of viktor yanukovich, the removing of him from power as a coup by the european union and the united states. >> well, harsh words in response a to russia's justification for moving the forces into the ukraine, what did the u.s. ambassador have to say. >> yes, she's the u.s. ambassador to the u.n. and saying what are you kidding m

they are not backing off and russia says troops were sent there at the request of ousted president viktoranukovych and phil is in kiev and, phil, another department, russian putin pulled out troops on the exercise on the border of ukraine, is that a sign at all of russia changing its position in crimea? >> not in crimea, stephanie, those troops that are on the peninsula are still there, still the people in kiev woke this morning to the welcome news that at least the war games that have been conducted close to the borders are over but nevertheless the russia military president and the might is still on the minds of people here. outside st. petersburg in russia on monday putin observed the might. war games russia says and a glimpse nonetheless of the military fire power. that same overwhelming force has captured the peninsula of crimea by the air, land and now sea. ukrainian navy ships today were being blocked by russian vessels on the coast of sevastopol and they are defiant even so they said they would be stormed and russia said it didn't make the threats. some have cheered where the flag

these killings were a turning point in the demonstrations against viktor yanukovych. estonian denied that the new leadership was implicated. but the call is authentic. >> that was quite disturbing, the oligarch telling that all the evidence shows the people killed by snipers from both sides among police men and people from the streets, that they were the same snipers, killing people from both sides. >> that's - yes. >> it's really disturbing that now - now that the new coalition, they don't want to investigate what happened, so there is stronger and stronger understanding that behind snipers, it was not, you know viktor yanukovych, but somebody from the new coalition: >> we have more from kiev. >> estonia's government referred it was an authentic recording of the foreign minister talking to katherine ashton in february. it's not right to say he was interpreting what he heard in kiev as proof or a widely held belief that figures linked to the opposition activist could have been involved in the killings. katherine ashton hasn't reacted. the russian media is picking up o

no, he's more popular than viktor yanukovych was. but vladimir putin things in terms of worst case scenarios and overestimate the strength and unity of people who are his opponents. he really thinks that the united states instigated the orange revolution back in ukraine in 2004/2005, which brought a pro-western government to power. he overestimates the force of those who are his opponents. this is a big part of his thinking. >> is there any way to judge russians approval of vladimir putin or not? >> we can. we have the public opinion polls that were cited. they are independent, they are hard to come by. there's no doubt that he enjoys a deal of popularity. whether people regard him as high as opinion polls show. we don't know. russians, for a decade have seen no alternative. he disqualification anyone that changes him and there's a regime where there's not really a viable alternative. >> steven fish, thank you for your insight, we appreciate it. coming up next - the putin fortune, estimated in the tens of billions of dollars. where d

on friday, ousted president viktor dennis kucinich -- victor yanukovych resurfaced.e claimed his life was in front. like the red carpet treatment awaited angela merkel when she visited london. she was given the rare honor of addressing both houses of parliament. david cameron was hoping for some or in his efforts to reform the eu. the german counselor did not oblige. i expect my speech to pave the way for parliamentary reform. i am afraid that people who think that are in for a disappointment. >> she was also pessimistic regarding london demands on freedom of movement. the two leaders stressed the things they do agree on. >> we both want to see change in your. we believe that change is possible. clean later met with the 14. she stressed the importance of written for europe. >> germany's former president was acquitted on corruption charges on thursday. it ends the first trial of a german head of state. the court cleared him of wrongdoing. prosecutors claimed that he accepted payment of around 700 euros from a film producer. in exchange, he helped raise support for a m

he says that viktor yanukovych is still the legitimate president. gave updent yanukovych our company excepted everything the opposition demanded. accepted the idea of holding early parliamentary elections committee excepted a return to the 2004 prostitution. he responded positively to the withst we made it, along our european partners, not to resort to the instant force. the order tosue open fire on the protesters. and moreover, he gave the order for police forces to retreat from the capital. and they complied with that. for more analysis on what vladimir wooten had to say today, i'm going to bring in our reporter in moscow. what more can you tell us? when we have seen from vladimir putin is a reiteration of the things we heard from most the last few aides days. the whole world was waiting nervously for a few days, and he made them wait a little bit longer, and eventually said that the russians are protecting the rights of russian speaking citizens in crimea. they won't allow the grading guard -- army to attack women and children. forlso said there'

>> indeed, the ruling of president viktor yanukovych put ukraine economy in a tough time. we have really shortage of money in our state budget. we have many small businesses have disappeared because of corruption and state pressure. but in general ukrainian economy is healthy, and it could resurrect with wester money with western loans. i think if we speak about plans for ukraine's recovery, there will be an economy with a very good performance. >> so jacob, as valeri suggests, ukraine is clearly vulnerable, but is russia operating from a position of strength? >> most certainly not. i would even go as far to say that part of the reason for this aggressive political action by vladimir putin partly reflects the fact that the russian economy isn't growing at 5%, 7% a year any more. he needs to shore up legitimacy in other ways. the reality a the russian economy was scheduled to grow less than 2%. and i wouldn't be surprised if what has already happened tips russia into a recession in 2014. which clearly puts this sort of performance legitimacy of vladimir putin, who has reall

. >> now the question, did the former ukrainian president viktor yanukovych really have a heart attackspeak to a former u.s. ambassador to ukraine who says that would be very convenient for moscow. details ahead on "shepard smith reporting" live from kiev. ♪ [ banker ] sydney needed some financial guidance so she could take her dream to the next level. so we talked about her options. her valuable assets were staying. and selling her car wouldn't fly. we helped sydney manage her debt and prioritize her goals, so she could really turn up the volume on her dreams today...and tomorrow. so let's see what we can do about that... remodel. motorcycle. [ female announcer ] some questions take more than a bank. they take a banker. make a my financial priorities appointment today. because when people talk, great things happen. to prove to you that aleve is the better choice for him, he's agreed to give it up. that's today? [ male announcer ] we'll be with him all day as he goes back to taking tylenol. i was okay, but after lunch my knee started to hurt again. and now i've got to take more pills.

>> well, viktor yanukovych had a lot to say but speaking over the border of russia and people say hereukraine at least are saying he seems to be losing touch with reality and he said he did intend to come back and would be president again. and even moscow itself and vladimir putin said he had no political future there but he took a moment out to single things out toward the americans and the u.s. government proposing a $1 billion loan to kiev, saying that it's his understanding that under the u.s. law that the government cannot give money to a government that has come to power with a military coup. folks here would say it's not a military coup and a popular uprising but it does indicate just where the former ousted president is coming from. again, a lot of people here in ukraine are shaking their heads and saying, you know, does he really think he can come back. clearly the people here won't allow it if he even comes to ukraine the kiev government said they will arrest him. >> there were parliamentary procedures that took place before yanukovych was stripped of powers and in kiev and t

. >>> today ousted ukrainian president viktor yanukovych calling for more parts of ukraine to succeed and join russia. this crisis also has western powers worried about europe's dependance on gas and oil. corporate interests can be out of sync with foreign pollty. patricia sabga reports. >>> the russian president awarding exxon mobil ceo the order of friendship in june 2013. a picture of cooperation that continues dispipe escalating tensions. since 2011, exxon mobil has substantially strengthened its ties with russia. inking deals to jointly build a liquified natural gas plants, and a joint $3.2 billion project to hunt for oil in the black sea. the majority of the deal financed by exxon, and access to potentially billions of dollars of oil. >> basically exxon is going to russia because of opportunities there. and russia wants exxon, because we believe that exxon can bring something that russia does not have. or russia needs more oil. >> reporter: and it gives them a foothold in the west for exploration rights in the gulf of mexico. the exxon mobil deal are poised to enhance the relati

the longer president viktor yanukovych clung to power, the more violent the men got. they would not even answer to the opposition leader. the right sector is not a party but an alliance of far right and nationalist groups. they brought arms, ammunition, and paramilitary training to the street battles. on the internet, the right sector style themselves as the spearhead of the protest movement. they invoke the ukrainian nationalist tradition and to announce both russian domination and western patronization and decadence. they glorify the unity and greatness of the ukrainian nation. they say the battle has only just begun. the right sector includes a number of neo-nazis who openly parade their ideals. with fascist emblems on their shields and plastered on walls. one of the most radical of the far right groups is c 14. they have occupied the former kiev headquarters of their enemies, the communist party. >> some ethnic groups have controlled business structures, some economic, some political forces. russians and jews -- they may be a non-ukrainian crew. >> the party of th

. >> and viktor yanukovych again saying he is the man in charge.ell us what he had to say. >> viktor yanukovych held a press conference just over the border and said a number of things, and one of the things that he clearly stated was as far as the proposed president election that will be held in may it is not legal. >> translator: i declare the elections announced by the parties that took over party but an unconstitutional coup are illegitimate it and unlawful. >> and yanukovych believes the people who took over power here were involved in a military coup, and that means the $1 billion promised by the united states government is illegal. but the reaction has already been one of business belief. it appears he has lost touch with reality, because it is very clear, even the russian president has said it that there is no way for him to return to power. >> phil does it look like diplomacy is gone? and also i'm curious, was -- was yanukovych speaking russian or ukrainian today? >> he was speaking russian, as he normally does, and he -- as far as the dip

recently under viktor yanukovych. when the court reinstated an earlier version, making his office more powerful. that was a source of anger. in the latest constitutional argument over kiev, the new argument in crimea and the rest say that the decision to hold a referendum on russia is unconstitutional. this is a constitutional lawyer, who said the parliament overstepped its authority, unacceptable anywhere in the world. >> can you imagine while reaching this point the spanish population will demand cessation from the united states. russia's intervention sparked an international crisis has drawn in more than regional players. as all sides talk about what is legal and not. russian troops consolidate their hole. >> there'll have to be a legal framework for government, but the country is in real upheaval, with pressing threats. the words written in the constitution may be little more than a tool to justify either side's claim on constitutional ability. >> vladimir putin defended the separatist drive to crimea. despite cal

ousted ukrainian president viktor yanukovych continues to speak to the country from next door russia. insisting that he's still legally in charge. meanwhile the regional parliament in the crimean parliament declaring that it will become an independent state if the referendum approves the move. di by day the russian authorities in crimea are tightening ties to russia and dismantling them with ukraine. for more than 20 years since the break up of the soviet union and 60 years since crimea became part of ukraine. in 60 days dueling accusations have been flying quick and fast. the interim prime minister said that crimea is part of the ukraine, period. to keep track of the players, yes, do you need a score card. it is. ukraine's interim leaders create a national guard in an effort to stand up against russian aggression in the crimea region. members of parliament said that it has fewer than 6,000 combat ready troops and an air force outgunned 100- 1. while no shots have been fired the war of words has taken a tough tone. >> i remain the only legitimate president of ukraine and the commander

you claimed that president viktor yanukovych ran away. the opposition leaders said they could not control the people on the streets and he left because his life was threatened. that is a contradiction. can you address that? and the issue of whether there are extremist's in the government. >> i can repeat it now. as to viktor yanukovych, he left his constitutional duties. the agreement started with the demand to bring to the parliament the old constitution. and then to start amending. it was provisioned that immediately after the decision, the president would sign it. he disappeared. >> why? >> a lot of questions which have come from his own party. they called him a person who betrayed them. he even failed to come to the rally. he promised to come but he did not. then he disappeared. we discovered he was in russia. now he gave the press conference and stated that he is legally -- the legal president. he left his constitutional duties. that is why the parliament took that decision. they could have announced impeachment or do what they did.

in november the president viktor yanukovych abrutally abandons a trade deal in favour of closer ties with moscow. it prompts mass demonstrations. pr e.u. protesters started to occupy city hall. in january the ukrainian parliament passed strict anti-protest laws. this fuels the opposition movement. the conflict turns deadly when the live ammunition kills two protesters. the bill is repealed. the violence escalates, prompting investigations seeing tims freed from gaol and viktor yanukovych removed. the president has fled kiev. unidentified gunmen appear outside the airport, a precursor to what many feel is pending military intervention. >> a report from simferepol, where tensions are high. >> how much has changed from thursday to saturday. then, a smallish protest. the building guarded by armed troops, and the same civilians issued orders. go back. be gone. they enjoy the power. it isn't just the parliament building and parliament itself which have been lost to kiev. the blockade spread to places like police and the security services headquarters. overnight the state tv channel was plu

actually, russia pressured viktor yanukovich into moving away from the eu deal. they are able to exert a lot of pressures in a number of ways. the threat of the energy cutoff, and all the trade that goes between ukraine and russia. >> in fact, i want to show the audience a graph that we have prepared for that. this shows the wait way that is situation is unfolding. the russian empire and the russian trade and $844 billion, half involves the amount of oil that russia exports. now to breaking that down with the european union, if you look at the european union you are seeing the uk, france, italy, germany, all defend, especially germany on russia as a trading partner. then we factor in china, we see that in the bottom half of the graph and that is showing how much money china exports and inports regarding russia. look at ukraine $39 billion and factor in the exports from russian oil to the united states, and japan, ukraine is responsible for more of the russian economy than the united states and japan are singularly and the united states receiving $27 billion in ru

we might say that is crazy, he's more popular than viktor yanukovich.ut putin thinks about the worse case scenarios and overestimates the strength and the unity of the opponents. for example, he thinks that the united states incity sgated the rev news in 2004 and 2005. he tends to over estimate the opponents and this is what we have to take into account. any way to judge russian's approval f of putin or not? >> we have the public opinion polls, but the problem the independent polls are hard to come by. there's no doubt he's enjoying a great deal of popularity and whether the people regard him as high as the polls we don't know. the problem o is that the russians have seen no alternative to him. during the elections he disqualifies anyone that could challenge him. and there is a regime of no viable alternatives. thank you for the insight. we appreciate it. >> it is my pleasure. >> the putin fortune, estimated in the tens of billion of dollars and we are following the money as the special report on putin continues. >> welcome back to our special. we are t

they are saying that they would like to see viktor yanukovych return to the country. they say it's not necessarily about him, it's about having a process continue. they say that they would like to see the presidential elizabeths this year, but not in may. in december as it was previously agreed pop, and actually very interestingly one of the - those men told me "we don't want to see viktor yanukovych run, because we blame on him the chaos the country has been in at the moment. they see his returns and him passing the presidential post to someone else would save this country from chaos. >> what are we to make of the reports that the pro-russian leader of crimea has not only taken control of the military and police there, but has asked russia's president vladimir putin for help? >> now, this is not the first time that there was such a call from here in crimea. it's the first time that the new prime minister has made that call. now, whoever you ask will have different interpretations. we spoke to people in kiev, and they say basically that means a direct call to russia t