Mykola Tomenko, Deputy Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, commented upon the initiative of the President of Ukraine to hold a round table discussion with the opposition. He stated that it is not the discussion of potential election date, but the dialogue between the authorities and the opposition that is necessary to achieve unity and prevent disruption in the country. Staying with a working visit in Zakarpattia region, M.Tomenko declared: "Such a dialogue between the authorities and the opposition is necessary; however, it should focus on the ways to prevent possible disruption and conflict in Ukraine."
"The latest initiatives of the public figures and politicians representing the party in power regarding ‘stalinization´ of Ukraine, precedence of the national minorities over the priorities of the Ukrainian people, ideas of the so-called national-cultural autonomies and even federalization of Ukraine, pursuit of policy for the benefit of certain regions to the detriment of the others can bear grave consequences for the state and the public", M.Tomenko stressed. These matters should become the topic of the upcoming dialogue between the authorities and the opposition. "It seems that the state policy, especially in the humanitarian sector, is determined by the initiatives of those politicians who are supported from abroad and who follow the disrupting strategies", M.Tomenko stated.
"Therefore, all the politicians regardless of their membership should be concerned with the unity and integrity of the state, leaving their party interests aside", the Deputy Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stated. "In the current situation, the date of the local elections is absolutely insignificant, and should be determined by the Constitution and the laws, while the future of the country requires joint efforts", he stated.