Russia vows troops will stay in Ukraine

Russia has vowed its troops will remain in Ukraine to protect Russian interests and citizens until the political situation has been "normalized," the BBC reported.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia was defending human rights against "ultra-nationalist threats."

Russia is now in de facto military control of the Crimea region, despite Western condemnation of a "violation of Ukraine's sovereignty."

Ukraine has ordered full mobilisation to counter the military intervention.

Crimea is the main flashpoint, but there are also demonstrations in eastern Ukraine.

Some 2,000 people waving Russian flags gathered at the regional government building in Donesk to protest at the appointment of a new pro-Kiev governor.

Dozens later occupied the first floor of the building in Donesk, the hometown of ousted pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych.

Mr Lavrov said in Geneva on Monday that Russian troops were needed in Ukraine "until the normalisation of the political situation."

Mr Lavrov said: "The victors intend to make use of the fruits of their victory to attack human rights and fundamental freedoms of minorities."

He said the "violence of ultra-nationalists threatens the lives and the regional interests of Russians and the Russian speaking population."