The new pro-Russian leader of Ukraine's southern Crimea region has asked Russian President Vladimir Putin for help in maintaining peace, as international concerns mount that Moscow may intervene militarily in the crisis.
A Kremlin spokesman said Russia "will not disregard" Crimean Premier Sergey Aksyonov's request for help "in maintaining peace and accord in Crimea."
Aksyonov, who was installed as the region's premier after armed men took over the Crimean parliament building Thursday, said security forces "are unable to efficiently control the situation in the republic," in comments broadcast on Russian state channel Russia 24.












