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Ukraine's deposed president Viktor Yanukovych is still the legitimate head of state of the country even if his authority is "negligible", Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said today.
Medvedev added that Russia does not recognise the new authorities who took power in Kiev after the overthrow of Yanukovych, saying they had violated the constitution.
In a posting on his Facebook page, Medvedev did not directly refer to the parliament approval won by President Vladimir Putin at the weekend to send Russian troops onto Ukrainian territory amid the standoff in Crimea.
"Yes, the authority of president Yanukovych is practically negligible but this does not cancel out the fact that according to the constitution of Ukraine he is still the legitimate head of state," Medvedev said.
Russia has given sanctuary to Yanukovych, who on Friday emerged for the first time to give a news conference in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don.
Medvedev said that Russia is ready to develop "multi-faceted, respectful relations with brotherly Ukraine" -- but not with the authorities who replaced Yanukovych.
"Ukraine is not for us the group of people who shed blood... And took power in violation of the constitution and other laws of their state."
"It is the entire country. A varied group of people. Ukrainians, Russians, Tatars, Jews. Different communities, living in harmony," he added.
Medvedev's comments played on the widely-held perception in Russia that the new Ukrainian government is made up of hardcore nationalists who cater to a minority of Ukrainians.
The remarks underlined that while Russia is far from happy with the actions of Yanukovych, Moscow is still far from recognising the new authorities as a legitimate partner.
