THREATENING

Putin: Ukraine Is Unlawful

"Unconstitutional overthrow."

Speaking to a small group of reporters Tuesday, Vladimir Putin said Russia was well within its rights to apply military force in Ukraine. “If I decide to use armed forces, it will be in line with international law.” Putin claimed the ousted Viktor Yanukovych was the “only one legitimate president” of Ukraine and said Russia is harboring him. Putin called the new government in Kiev illegitimate. “My assessment is that it’s an unconstitutional overthrow and an armed seizure of power. No one has challenged that,” he said. He dismissed the West's support for Ukraine, claiming its policy was like “experimenting with rats.”