BOGOTA, March 30, /ITAR-TASS/. Ecuador does not recognize the interim government in Ukraine as legitimate. That is why it abstained from voting on a draft resolution on the Crimean referendum at the United Nations General Assembly last Thursday, Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa said in a Saturday TV programme devoted to the president’s work.

“We are going to talk with a legitimate Ukrainian government and will only recognize a leadership, which is going to rise to power as a result of will expression by the Ukrainian people rather than a state coup, “President Correa said, adding that the interim authorities in Kiev had seized power as a result of a sophisticated and cunning plan and immediately enlisted the support of western powers with their typical double standards.

Last Thursday, Ecuador abstained from voting on a draft resolution on Ukraine’s territorial integrity which calls the March 16 referendum as invalid. The resolution was adopted by 100 countries against 11 with 58 abstentions.