Ukraine's parliament on Tuesday met a key demand posed by both the West and Russia by voting unanimously to disarm all self-defence groups that sprang up across the country during its political crisis.

"The Ukrainian people are demanding order," acting president Oleksandr Turchynov said ahead of the 256-0 vote. "Those who carry arms -- besides the police, the security services and the national guard -- are saboteurs who are working against the country."