Turchynov becomes commander-in-chief of Ukrainian armed forces
Ukrainian acting President Alexander Turchynov becomes the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, as former Ukrainian presidents call for Russia to respect the country's interim government.
Ukraine’s Acting President and Speaker of the Parliament, Alexander Turchynov, took over as commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on Wednesday.
A signed presidential decree says Turchynov has become the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, according to articles 112 and 106 of the Ukrainian Constitution.
Presidential Chief of Staff, Andriy Kluyev, presented his resignation to ousted president Yanukovych on February 23. Kluyev’s former spokesman, Artem Petrenko, said Kluyev was injured in an armed attack and that his condition was not serious.
Interim Interior Minister, Arsen Avakov, said in a message on his Facebook account that he has signed a decree to disband the special police force, Berkut, which clashed with the demonstrators. Some of the members of Berkut had bowed before demonstrators and apologized on behalf of the security forces, which had been brought on buses to Lviv city center in western Ukraine.
Meanwhile, three Ukrainian ex-presidents have called on Russia to respect decisions taken by the Ukrainian interim government.
A statement released by former President Viktor Yushchenko's spokesperson said three former Ukrainian presidents - Leonid Kravchuk, Leonid Kuchma and Viktor Yushchenko - claims Russia is directly meddling into political affairs of Ukraine’s Autonomous Crimean Region, as the international partners are trying to find a political solution to the Ukrainian crisis.
The statement said Ukrainian security forces should investigate into all kinds of separatist propaganda attempts and incitement of cultural and ethnic enmity, according to the country’s laws. Speculations on the rights of Russian speaking people and insults directed on Ukrainian language and state symbols should also be prevented, the statement said.
According to agreements between Russia, United States and England, pertaining to guarantee of Ukrainian sovereignty, Russia should respect decisions taken by the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian interim government.
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