Kiev to Introduce Visa Regime with Russia, Withdraw from Moscow-Led CIS

Ukraine's security chief said on Wednesday he had instructed the foreign ministry to introduce visas for Russians in response to the Kremlin's claim on its flashpoint Crimea peninsula.

"The foreign ministry has been instructed to introduce a visa regime with the Russian Federation," Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council chief Andriy Parubiy told a televised press conference.

Parubiy also said that Kiev had decided to withdraw from the Moscow-led Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) alliance that replaced the Soviet Union.

"A decision was taken... to begin the process of withdrawing from the CIS," he added.