IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Ukraine Calls For World Help: We Are 'on the Brink of Disaster'

<p>Moves by Russian forces in Crimea amount to "a declaration of war," said Acting Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk.</p>
Image: Ukraine's Acting President Oleksander Turchinov, Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk and Defense Minister Ihor Tenyukh address journalists in Kiev
Ukraine's Acting President Oleksander Turchinov (L), Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk (R) and Defense Minister Ihor Tenyukh address journalists in Kiev March 1, 2014. Ukraine put its armed forces on full combat alert on Saturday and warned Russia that any military intervention in the country would lead to war. REUTERS/Andrew Kravchenko/Pool (UKRAINE - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY CIVIL UNREST TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)POOL / Reuters
Image: Ukraine's Acting President Oleksander Turchinov, Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk and Defense Minister Ihor Tenyukh address journalists in Kiev
Ukraine's Acting President Oleksander Turchinov, Defense Minister Ihor Tenyukh and Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk address journalists in Kiev on March 1, 2014.Andrew Kravchenko / Pool via Reuters

Ukraine’s interim leaders called on the world to help Sunday, saying the country was “on the brink of disaster.”

Acting Prime Minister PM Arseniy Yatsenyuk said the move by Russian forces to surround military bases in Crimea was "a declaration of war."

His comments were echoed by acting president Oleksandr Turchynov, who said Ukraine had closed its airspace to non-civilian aircraft.

“Ukrainian forces are acting in accordance with Ukrainian laws and Constitution and they will defend Ukrainian territory,” Turchynov told reporters at a news conference in Kiev.

“Any attempt to attack military bases is in fact a direct aggression against our country responsibility for which will be borne by Russian military officers and Russian Government,” he added.

Earlier Sunday, Ukraine's national security council secretary ordered the call-up of military reservists, saying the country's forces must be "combat ready."

Marc Smith and Sasha Mazikina contributed to this report.