Ousted Ukrainian ex-president Viktor Yanukovych supports Russian President Vladimir Putin's actions allegedly to protect Russian-speaking residents of Crimea during the change of government in Kyiv in 2014.

"This behavior deserves respect," Yanukovych said at a press conference in Rostov-on-Don on Friday evening.

At the same time, Yanukovych deplored the fact that Kyiv has lost its jurisdiction over Crimean territory. "Is it good that Crimea has been separated from Ukraine? No, I believe it's bad," he said.

At the same time, he laid the blame for the radicalization of sentiments in Crimea and its residents' desire to join Russia on the organizers of the Euro-Maidan events.

"Crimea started seeking help from Russia. But the referendum on Crimea's separation from Ukraine is a result of Maidan's provocation. Until Ukraine returns to the legal framework and until it conducts true investigations, it will be impossible to build the future without the truth," Yanukovych said.