KIEV, Ukraine — Ukraine’s new prime minister said Wednesday that embattled Crimea must remain part of Ukraine, but may be granted more local powers.

In his first interview since taking office last week, Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk told The Associated Press that a special task force should be established “to consider what kind of additional autonomy the Crimean Republic could get.” Since last weekend, Russian troops have taken control of much of the peninsula in the Black Sea, where Russian speakers are in the majority.

Yatsenyuk blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for causing one of the sharpest international crises in Europe since the end of the Cold War — and expressed fears about further possible Russian incursions.

Asked if he was afraid that Russia might send troops to occupy other Russian-speaking areas of Ukraine, Yatsenyuk said: “Let me put it bluntly: yes, it’s still a concern and Russia is to realize its responsibility and Russia is to stick to its international obligation, to stop the invasion.

“Mr. President (Putin), stop this mess,” said Yatsenyuk.

The prime minister, approved by parliament Feb. 27, also denied a report that cash-strapped Ukraine was negotiating with the United States for deployment of U.S. missile defenses in exchange for financial help.