MOSCOW, Feb 23 - A prominent Russian state TV host said on Sunday that ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych had betrayed his people when he fled Kiev, an uncompromising verdict on a leader President Vladimir Putin had hoped would bring Ukraine closer to Moscow's orbit, Reuters reported.

The remarks by Dmitry Kiselyov on Russia's main state channel indicate Moscow is unlikely to seek to restore Yanukovych to power despite its calls for implementation of a peace deal that, at least on paper, would keep him as president until a new election.