Yanukovych says spoke to Putin by phone from Russia

Ukraine’s fugitive president Viktor Yanukovych gives a news conference in Rostov-on-Don, a city in southern Russia about 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) from Moscow, Friday, Feb. 28, 2014. Ukrainian fugitive president appears for first time since Saturday at Russia news conference. AP

ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia—Deposed Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych said he spoke by telephone to Russian leader Vladimir Putin after arriving in the country but had not yet met with the Kremlin chief.

Speaking at a news conference in the Russian city of Rostov-On-Don, Yanukovych said he had arrived in Russia “thanks to a patriotically-minded young officer” without giving further details. He said he would only return to Ukraine once his personal security was assured.

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