US, Britain: No 'Zero Sum Game' for Ukraine

News | Top diplomats from the United States and Britain are denying that Ukraine faces an East-West divide following the ouster of Russia-friendly President Viktor Yanukovych.

Following a meeting Tuesday with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said Washington and London hope Ukraine can form an "inclusive government."

However, while Hague said the primary goal is a "free, democratic Ukraine," he does not view the situation as a "zero-sum" game.

"It is very important for Ukraine to be able to work closely with European nations and the European Union in good economic cooperation, but also of course to be able to cooperate with Russia on many issues, and so Secretary Kerry and I have both been talking to [Russian] Foreign Minister [Sergei] Lavrov over recent days and we will continue that contact with Russia as well," said Hague.

Russia on Tuesday also insisted it would not interfere in Ukrainian politics. Foreign Minister Lavrov said it is "dangerous and counterproductive" to force the country into a choice between Russia and Europe.

Yanukovych fled the capital on Saturday following three months of sometimes violent protests that erupted after he rejected an EU trade deal in favor of economic assistance from Russia, the country's former Soviet master.

There are concerns the financially strapped country of 46 million could split into a pro-Russia east and pro-EU west.

Interim President Oleksandr Turchynov warned Tuesday in parliament that there are "very dangerous signs of separatism" in several parts of the country.

Earlier in the day, Turchynov announced that plans to elect a new national unity government would be postponed until Thursday.

The moves come as EU and U.S. leaders meet with Ukrainian leaders to work on ways that Western financial institutions can help Ukraine, which many say is on the verge of economic collapse.

Also Tuesday, the parliament voted to send fugitive ousted president Yanukovych to the International Criminal Court to be tried for crimes committed during the anti-government demonstrations, including the murder of scores of protesters.

Acting interior minister Arsen Avakhov said Yanukovych was last seen in the pro-Russian Crimea region of Ukraine, but that the ousted leader's exact whereabouts are not clear.