09 May 2014, 22:15
In a TV programme “Shuster live”, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Acting President of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov outlining the situation in the Donbas claimed the federalization of eastern regions of Ukraine is “self–destruction”. “This is a step towards an abyss for these regions. This is a euphoria that can lead to very complicated consequences, and a lot of people are already experiencing these consequences”, he said. Those who favour independence do not understand that it is a complete destruction of economy, social programmes, and, in general, lives of citizens of these regions”.
Oleksandr Turchynov informed that no enterprises work in Sloviansk or Kramatorsk. He expressed concern with attempts of some separatists to transform Donetsk and Luhansk “into a zone of constant military actions, a zone with no prospects that has changed into an economic ruin”.
The Chairman of the Parliament stressed that the government is ready to negotiate with representatives of the regions, particularly, of the Donbas.
“We hear the Donbas, and we are ready to negotiate”, he said and added that he together with the Prime-Minister of Ukraine announced holding round-tables across the country, particularly in Kyiv in the nearest future.
Oleksandr Turchynov invited representatives of local self-government, scientists of the Donbas, representatives from culture, those who represent political movements and NGOs to participate in round-tables. “We invite to participate in the round tables, but we do not invite terrorists aiming at destroying the country”, stressed the Chairman of the Parliament. We are ready to sit and talk regardless of what is happening and what slogans are being proclaimed”.
In the words of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine, regardless of anything, is on the way of decentralization. “We are on the way of a real strengthening of local self-government, strengthening of regions – financial and political”, he said. “There can not be powerful Ukraine with weak regions. We are interested in powerful regions, in regions that can form their executive committees that make responsible decisions and are responsible for them. Thus, we are on this way when elaborating amendments to the Constitution”.
According to him, what is happening now in the Donbas can not be explained just with a wish to federalization. “Any similar issues can not be settled with weapons”, he stressed. “This is impossible and unacceptable”. At the same time, Oleksandr Turchynov expressed readiness to an open talk with those willing to find a way out of the crisis, and not with those killing, torturing and raping. In this context he addressed those people who did not participate in crimes calling them to lay down weapons, claiming that the government is ready to apply amnesty to them. “Those who were killing and torturing would be punished”, claimed the Chairman of the Parliament. “Terrorists will be punished and will bear responsibility to the international court and to the justice of Heaven”.
Oleksandr Turchynov expressed his belief that Ukraine can be a powerful and mighty European country. “We can equip our common home by ourselves”, he stressed.