Ousted president Viktor Yanukovych has accused the CIA of being behind the new Ukrainian government's decision to deploy armed forces against pro-Russian gunmen in eastern Ukraine.
Speaking on April 13 on Russian state television, Yanukovych claimed that CIA director John Brennan had met with Ukraine's new leadership and "in fact sanctioned the use of weapons and provoked bloodshed."
There was no independent confirmation that Brennan was in Ukraine or in any way involved in the decision to send troops to eastern Ukraine.
Yanukovych was ousted in February following months of protests in Kyiv that were sparked by his refusal to sign a key deal with the European Union and turn toward Russia.
He fled to Russia, saying he feared for his life.
Its true donbass crisis is a bit like Crimea, but big differences. For instance, I haven't seen a Night Wolf yet.
— Roland Oliphant (@RolandOliphant) April 14, 2014
Ukraine rebels show no signs of complying as government deadline passes http://t.co/xSej8q8T5a via @Reuters
— Alessandra Prentice (@alessaprentice) April 14, 2014
A Ukrainian government deadline for pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine to lay down their weapons and leave state buildings they have occupied has passed with no signs of the rebels complying.
Ukraine's acting President Oleksander Turchynov had threatened a "large-scale anti-terrorist" operation involving the army if the separatists failed to comply with the government's demands by 9 a.m. local time on April 14.
Correspondents on the ground in Slovyansk and Donetsk, however, said the separatists were not preparing to comply with the ultimatum.
Russia has urged Kyiv not to use force against pro-Russia protesters.
But Ukraine's government and the West have accused Moscow of artificially creating the crisis in eastern Ukraine.
This photo of the "press conference" that just happened now just retweeted by the US Ambassador to Ukraine: pic.twitter.com/xHLVP72BU0
— Shaun Walker (@shaunwalker7) April 13, 2014
@shaunwalker7 All 3 accused of involvement in the Maidan shootings - a historic crime that needs full investigation not specious accusations
— Geoffrey Pyatt (@GeoffPyatt) April 13, 2014
It is easy to find whether a journo is pro-West or pro-#Russia: a former will say #Kharkiv #Slovyansk a latter will say #KharkOv #SlAvyansk.
— Ivan Nechepurenko (@INechepurenko) April 14, 2014
#Donetsk Governor Serhiy Taruta says anti-terrorist operation against pro-Russian forces underway in eastern #Ukraine http://t.co/gfmUEct0sO
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) April 14, 2014
1/2 Was just taken at gunpoint into the barricades here in Sloviansk, placed on my knees, surrounded by guns at me.
— GrahamWPhillips (@GrahamWP_UK) April 14, 20142/2 Had to talk out of what I felt was real danger. Then guys are ok, apologise to me, say `this is war in Ukraine, please understand that`
— GrahamWPhillips (@GrahamWP_UK) April 14, 2014Hostility towards journos in E #Ukraine v high MT @GrahamWP_UK Was just taken at gunpoint...placed on my knees, surrounded by guns at me.
— Alexander Marquardt (@MarquardtA) April 14, 2014
With tensions rising over Ukraine, Russia test launches a new ICBM and Putin gives himself a pay rise
— tom balmforth (@BalmforthTom) April 14, 2014