DHAKA: Ousted Ukrainian leader Viktor Yanukovych on Tuesday said that he was still the country’s legitimate president and commander-in-chief, predicting he would be able to return to Kiev soon.

‘I remain not just the sole legitimate president of Ukraine but also commander-in-chief,’ he said in his first public appearance in over a week, in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don.

‘As soon as the circumstances allow, and I am sure there is not long to wait, I will without doubt return to Kiev,’ he added, speaking Russian.

In contrast to his lengthy press conference on February 28 when he re-emerged in Russia, Yanukovych gave only a seven minute statement in a conference hall in Rostov-on-Don, standing in front of several Ukrainian flags.

He then left the stage alone without taking questions, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 2010 HRS, MAR 11, 2014