Ousted Ukrainian prez admits being 'wrong' in inviting Russian troops to Crimea

Ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has admitted he was wrong to have invited Russian troops to Crimea.

In his first interview since fleeing to Russia, Yanukovych also vowed to try to persuade Russia to return the coveted Black Sea peninsula.

According to the Washington Times, Yanukovych said he still hopes to negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin to get the annexed region back.

The 63-year-old said Crimea is a tragedy, insisting that Russia's takeover of Crimea wouldn't have happened if he had stayed in power.

Yanukovych also denied the allegations of corruption, saying he built his palatial residence outside of Kiev with his own money.

Yanukovych said he has spoken with Putin twice by phone and once in person since he arrived in Russia and hopes to have more meetings with the Russian leader to negotiate Crimea's return to Ukraine, the report added.