Analysis image of Bridget Kendall Bridget Kendall Diplomatic correspondent, BBC News, Moscow Will the Kremlin now align itself with or distance itself from Mr Yanukovych's statement? The Kremlin too has been critical of Kiev's new government, questioning its legitimacy and warning of threats to Russia's interests in Ukraine. Just this morning the Russian foreign ministry issued a new warning that it would "strongly and uncompromisingly" defend the rights of its compatriots when they were violated by foreign governments. It could be this is just another example - alongside the fighter jets now on combat alert, patrolling Russia's borders with Ukraine - of sabre-rattling, another way to increase pressure on the new Kiev authorities to register Russia's concerns and ambivalence. What would be more worrying is if this is part of a carefully co-ordinated campaign which is also somehow linked to the move by pro-Russian armed groups who took over the Crimean parliament and government buildings in Simferopol overnight. There is no evidence that Moscow knew about or sanctioned that action. But the fact it has happened just as Mr Yanukovych has resurfaced and been allowed to challenge Kiev from Moscow is unsettling

Analysis

Bridget KendallDiplomatic correspondent, BBC News, Moscow

Will the Kremlin now align itself with or distance itself from Mr Yanukovych's statement?

The Kremlin too has been critical of Kiev's new government, questioning its legitimacy and warning of threats to Russia's interests in Ukraine. Just this morning the Russian foreign ministry issued a new warning that it would "strongly and uncompromisingly" defend the rights of its compatriots when they were violated by foreign governments.

It could be this is just another example - alongside the fighter jets now on combat alert, patrolling Russia's borders with Ukraine - of sabre-rattling, another way to increase pressure on the new Kiev authorities to register Russia's concerns and ambivalence.

What would be more worrying is if this is part of a carefully co-ordinated campaign which is also somehow linked to the move by pro-Russian armed groups who took over the Crimean parliament and government buildings in Simferopol overnight. There is no evidence that Moscow knew about or sanctioned that action. But the fact it has happened just as Mr Yanukovych has resurfaced and been allowed to challenge Kiev from Moscow is unsettling