The newly-chosen prime minister of the Ukrainian southern region of Crimea on Saturday called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold restore "peace and calm" to the Black Sea peninsula.

The newly-chosen prime minister of the Ukrainian southern region of Crimea on Saturday called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold restore "peace and calm" to the Black Sea peninsula, amid a standoff with the new authorities in Kiev.

"Taking into account my responsibility for the life and security of citizens, I ask Russian President Vladimir Putin to help in ensuring peace and calm on the territory of Crimea," Sergiy Aksyonov said in an address quoted by local media and broadcast in full by Russian state television.

Russia will not disregard Crimean PM's request for help - Kremlin

Russia will not disregard Crimean Prime Minister Sergey Aksenov's request addressed to President Vladimir Putin on providing assistance in maintaining peace and accord in Crimea, a Kremlin source told Interfax.

Following an appeal by the Prime Minister of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov, to the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, for assistance in securing peace and quiet in Crimea the Russian presidential administration said Russia would not disregard the request.

Earlier this Saturday, Sergei Aksyonov asked the Russian President to render assistance in ensuring peace and quiet in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. Aksyonov also said he had subordinated all of the republic's security agencies to himself.

Meanwhile, the cordoned-off area around the eastern and southern parts of the Crimean Council of Ministers building has been enlarged by one street block, so the closest one can now approach the building is 300 metres.

Police and Road Traffic Police prevent motor vehicles and pedestrians from entering the area, but allow street-cleaners to work there, and let everyone living in the nearby houses out.

The Simferopol streets are currently half-deserted, and almost no motor vehicles have been seen around.