By Li Hongmei
World powers on Tuesday sought to ease tensions over Ukraine as the country's interim authorities grappled with the threat of economic collapse and separatism after the dramatic ouster of pro-Moscow president Viktor Yanukovych.
Russia softened its angry tone over the sudden, weekend regime change in Ukraine, while senior EU and US diplomats visited the ex-Soviet country that Yanukovych had tried to steer towards Moscow but whose new leaders have tilted firmly towards the West.
Frantic talks took place between US, European and Russian diplomats as Ukraine appealed for US$35 billion (25 billion euros) in aid to avoid bankruptcy and interim president Oleksandr Turchynov warned of a secessionist threat.
The European Union had said it stood ready to give conditional financial assistance to Ukraine.
Russia had initially reacted with fury to the weekend's rapid-fire political changes -- brought about by last week's clashes that left nearly 100 dead -- accusing the new leadership of waging an "armed mutiny".
But on Tuesday Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov sought to soften the tone, saying Ukraine should not be forced to choose between Russia and the West.
"We confirmed our principled position of non-intervention in Ukraine's internal affairs," Lavrov said in Moscow.
"We are interested in Ukraine being part of the European family, in all senses of the word," he said. "It is dangerous and counterproductive to force Ukraine into a choice."
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton also sought to calm tensions during a press conference in Kiev.
"We offer support, not interference for the future," Ashton told reporters in a bid to downplay claims that the West wants to bring Ukraine into its sphere of influence.
She also stressed "the importance of the strong links between Ukraine and Russia and the importance of having them maintained".
Ashton however offered no concrete commitments of economic assistance, saying only that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was "very keen" to meet the future new government.
The tumultuous events of the past week have capped more than three months of relentless protests against Yanukovych's rule sparked by his November decision to spurn a historic pact with the European Union in favor of closer ties with Russia.
One of the stars to emerge during this unrest was Vitali Klitschko, a heavyweight world champion boxer who became one of the three major protest leaders.
The tall 42-year-old has managed to use his sporting credentials to bridge traditional divides in Ukraine between the more nationalist West and pro-Russia East and South, and as such enjoys wide popularity.
Klitschko announced Tuesday he would stand for president in polls set for May 25, shortly after the electoral commission officially kicked off the campaign for elections.
Yanukovych, however, has disappeared since he reportedly attempted to flee the country on Saturday from the eastern city of Donetsk.
The new government will face the tough task of maintaining financial and territorial stability in Ukraine ahead of the May polls.
Deputy US Secretary of State William Burns arrived in Kiev on Tuesday and met Klitschko.
Also in Washington, Vice President Joe Biden, the US pointman on Ukraine, met Didier Burkhalter, leader of Switzerland and current head of the 57-nation Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) which is seeking a leading role during Ukraine's political transition.
Biden and Burkhalter "consulted on the current situation in Ukraine, including what support the United States and the OSCE could offer to help return the country to peace and stability", a White House statement said.
