MOSCOW, March 4 -- What happened in Ukraine could only be described as anti-constitutional coup and armed seizure of power, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday.

Putin, during a live interview aired on local news channel, told reporters that by the time of signing the agreement on Feb. 21, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich has in effect given up his power.

"I told him he had no chances to be reelected. So I don't understand why the opposition needed to seize power by force," Putin noted, adding Yanukovich remains sole legitimate president of Ukraine, although he has no power.