Russian President Vladimir Putin has admitted that he helped ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to escape the violent protests and flee to Russia in February.
It is the first time that Putin has spoken openly about the issue.
According to the BBC, Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine backed Yanukovych and were enraged at his overthrow, which helped to fuel months of violence.
Putin, speaking to members of the Valdai discussion club in Sochi, said that Yanukovych had been removed by force.
Yanukovych fled to Russia in February after protests in which more than 100 people died.