You're reading: Yanukovych urges Kyiv government to stop violence, withdraw troops from east Ukraine

Viktor Yanukovych has urged the authorities in Kyiv to immediately withdraw troops from the Donetsk, Luhansk and Odesa regions and stop killing their own people.

“Immediately withdraw mercenaries and troops from the territory of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Odesa and other regions, stop the violence and terror against your own people. Citizens see every day what you are doing to your country, you have passed the point of no return,” Yanukovych said in a statement made available to Interfax.