KIEV, Feb. 22 - A bid by regional leaders loyal to President Viktor Yanukovych to challenge the legitimacy of the national parliament appeared to founder on Saturday, after thousands of protesters rallied in eastern Ukraine in support of the political changes in Kiev.

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.

KIEV, Feb. 23 - Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko, freed from prison guard on Saturday after her arch-rival President Viktor Yanukovych fled Kiev, said on Sunday she did not want to be considered for the post of prime minister.

KIEV, Feb. 23 - The European Union is ready to offer substantial financial aid to Ukraine once it has a new government, and should offer a clear European perspective to Kiev, said the EU's Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn.

KIEV, Feb. 23 - Ukraine's interim leadership pledged to put the country back on course for European integration now that Moscow-backed Viktor Yanukovych has been ousted from the presidency, while the United States warned Russia against sending in its forces.

KIEV, Feb. 24 - U.S. President Barack Obama's national security advisor, Susan Rice, has said that the United States supports Ukrainian people and wants to see a democratic election and formation of a coalition government in the country.

MINSK, Feb. 24 - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has called for the preservation of the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

"We have the same goals regarding Ukraine. Ukraine should be united. No one should divide this great country.

LONDON, Feb. 24 - Ukraine could join the European Union in the future, EU Economics Commissioner Olli Rehn said.

"We are at a historical juncture, and Europe needs to live up to its historical moment and be able to provide Ukraine with accession prospects in the medium to long term – if it can meet the conditions of accession," he said in Sydney as part of a meeting of the finance ministers of G20 countries.

KIEV, Feb. 24 - Parliament appointed Stepan Kubiv, a member of parliament with experience in banking, as the new chairman of the central bank.

A total of 310 deputies in the 450 seat chamber backed Kubiv after his predecessor, Ihor Sorkin, resigned following the overthrow of Viktor Yanukovych as Ukraine's president.

BRUSSELS, Feb. 24 - Europe is discussing a range of options for short- and longer-term financial assistance to Ukraine, but any comprehensive package is only likely to take shape after elections in May and in coordination with the International Monetary Fund.