Crimea’s new prime minister calls Yanukovych president, relies on Russian financial aid (UPDATED)

“I am convinced that in our time of trouble the Russian Federation will extend a helping hand and will provide assistance, including financial, in order to enable Crimea to improve its own political situation today,” Aksyonov told reporters on Thursday.

“We are certain that all of us together with our brothers will be able to restore our economy. The Russian Federation has promised financial support as well. Today we are addressing our colleagues. And I am absolutely convinced that we will be able to succeed with your support,” he said.

“In this situation, Mr. Yanukovych remains the legitimately elected president, and these agreements were reached through him in this case,” Aksyonov said.

Crimean MPs earlier voted in favor of appointing Russian Unity party leader Sergey Aksyonov as the autonomous republic’s new prime minister said.

Crimean Parliament Speaker Volodymyr Konstantynov had nominated Aksyonov for his post in accordance with Article 136 of the Ukrainian constitution. His appointment was supported by 53 members of Crimea’s legislature.

The director of the information analysis department of the legislature’s secretariat, Olha Sulnikova, told Interfax that “deputies were present at the parliamentary hall voluntarily” during the session.

When asked whether the new premier’s appointment had been agreed upon with the president of Ukraine, Sulnikova said that “his agreement exists.”

Under the Ukrainian constitution, the prime minister of Crimea is appointed by the autonomous republic’s parliament following consultations with the president of Ukraine.

Unknown armed men took control of the Crimean parliament headquarters early on Thursday morning. Nonetheless, the legislature’s special session went ahead, although the armed persons confiscated mobile phones from MPs.

The Crimean parliament also voted 64-61 in favor of holding a referendum on the autonomous republic’s status and powers. The legislature’s decision to dismiss the Crimean government was supported by 55 members of the 100-strong parliament.

Sulnikova informed reporters of these decisions over the phone.

It is not reliably known whether all deputies were present at the session hall during the vote, or whether some of them were absent, but their electronic voting cards were used.

Aksyonov was born in the town of Balti, Moldova, in 1972. After graduating from Simferopol’s higher military-political college in 1993, he started his own business. Aksyonov has been a member of the Russian Community of Crimea and the Civil Activists of Crimea public organization since 2008. In 2009, he was given a seat on the Civil Activists of Crimea board, became a co-chairman of the For Russian Unity in Crimea Coordination Council and was elected to lead Crimea’s Russian Unity public and political movement.