Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow reserves the right to use all means to protect Russians in Ukraine, but hopes Russia won't have to use force.

"If I decide to use armed forces it will be in line with international law," Putin said.

During a news conference on Tuesday, Putin described the recent turmoil in Ukraine as an anti-constitutional coup, and said that while the Ukrainian parliament was legitimate, acting President Olexander Turchynov was not.

Putin also noted that if Ukraine holds new elections, the results will not be acknowledged by Russia.

"If they are held under such terror as we see now, then we won't (recognize them)," Putin said.

Former Ukrainian leader Viktor Yanukovych, who is accused of mass crimes against the protesters who stood up for months against his rule, did not give orders to shoot the demonstrators, Putin claimed.

Yanukovych sent a letter to Putin asking him to use the Russian military to restore law and order in his country, Reuters reported.

Putin did not acknowledge having any troops in Ukraine, the Washington Post reported, and insisted that the troops in the Crimea who were wearing green uniforms without insignia and driving unmarked vehicles were not Russian.

Putin did say Russia had agreed to shelter Yanukovych to save his life.

On Monday, the Ukrainian government said Russia had deployed 16,000 troops to Crimea and demanded that local forces lay down their arms. Russian fighter jets twice violated Ukraine's air space over the Black Sea, and the Black Sea Fleet told Ukrainian forces in Crimea to surrender by 5 a.m. on Tuesday or face a military action.

President Barack Obama described the Russian advance as a violation of international law, and called on Congress to approve an aid package for the new Ukrainian government.

The United States also suspended military ties to Russia and prepared to impose sanctions on high-level Russian officials involved in the military occupation of Crimea, The New York Times reported.

Russia dismissed talks of sanctions and said it was only trying to protect its interests and those of Russians in Ukraine. Putin also noted that sanction attempts would backfire on the West.

And yet, early Tuesday, Putin had ordered tens of thousands of Russian troops participating in military exercises near Ukraine's border to return to their bases.

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