Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Moscow reserves the right to use its military to protect Russians in Ukraine. It was his first comment on Ukraine since its fugitive President fled and US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Kiev to meet with Ukraine's new government.

Putin declared that Western actions were driving Ukraine into anarchy and warned that if the West put any sanctions on Russia for its actions, there would be backfire.

In another development, Russia carried out a successful test launch of an advanced intercontinental ballistic missile, amid a fierce standoff between Moscow and the West over Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the US announced a 1 billion US dollar aid package in energy subsidies to Ukraine,which faces a looming financial disaster.US Secretary of State, John F Kerry condemned Russia's intervention in Ukraine and said Moscow appears to be seeking a pretext for being able to invade further.