Ukraine's parliament has approved Arseniy Yatsenyuk as the country's new prime minister. Yatsenyuk's appointment was supported by 371 lawmakers in the 450-member assembly.

Speaking to parliament after his nomination, Yatsenyuk said the government would have to take unpopular decisions to guide the country through an economic crisis. While ousted President Viktor Yanukovych says he still considers himself president of Ukraine, acting President Oleksandr Turchynov has warned Russia against any military aggression in the heavily Russian populated area of Crimea.

On Thursday, gunmen seized the regional government and parliament buildings in Crimea, raising the Russian flag over both buildings. President Yanukovych was ousted last week, following three months of unrest that were triggered by his decision to postpone a pro-EU deal.