We took note of the words of the President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, during his speech in Rostov-On-Don on the 11 March that the plans of the US Administration to grant 1 billion US dollars to the current authorities in Kiev are contrary to valid US legislation.

Indeed, according to the amendments made to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 several years ago, the provision of foreign assistance is prohibited to "the government of any country whose duly elected head of government is deposed by military coup or decree". This provision is included in 22 US Code § 8422. Therefore, according to all the criteria, allocation of funds to a non-legitimate regime, which seized power by violence, is illegal and is outside the framework of US law.

Of course, we understand that taking into account the position taken by Washington they will hardy acknowledge this evident fact. It seems that the US Administration will keep turning a blind eye to the dominance of ultranationalist forces in Kiev, who have started a country-widehunt for those who think otherwise, they are intensifying pressure on the Russian-speaking population and our nationals, threatening the population of Crimea with reprisal for their aspiration for self-determination. Decision-makers in the United States should think about the consequences of their reckless connivance with Nazi-like radical elements in Ukraine and their financial pumping.

11 March 2014