Statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, April 8, 2014:
The escalation of the situation is several cities in the east and south of Ukraine is being initiated by outside forces and executed with the subversive participation of the Russian Federation. The provocations are being carried out by groups directed by Russian secret services.
The aggressive acts that threaten the lives and safety of Ukrainian citizens, the organization of separatist forces, and the participation in illegal activities by Russian citizens are evidence of Russia’s intent to implement the second phase of the occupation of Ukraine.
Acts of sabotage are being accompanied by a large-scale propaganda campaign that cynically distorts facts, uses threats and blackmail, and spreads blatant falsehoods to justify Russia’s interference in the internal affairs of Ukraine.
The escalation of the situation was designed to lead to bloodshed and military confrontation in order to provide a pretext for further aggression. Even the nonsense about the use of “American commandos” to combat the rebels was designed to shatter peace. These theories demonstrate that the mentality of Russian agents has been profoundly affected by their special operations.
Today the situation has been stabilized.
The rule of law is being ensured by Ukrainian law enforcement, which decisively and within the law will combat all encroachments on the nation and the state. Events are under control.
Ukrainian citizens did not submit to these provocations. Our people do not accept and will not accept the ideas of separatism and fascism that are being actively promoted by provocateurs from Russian special services. The idea of the so-called “federalization” of Ukraine, imposed by Moscow, belongs to the same collection of special operations. The issue here is not federalization but the paralysis of our country, its economy, and the opportunities of our citizens.
The fundamental position of the Government of Ukraine is the determination to protect all democratic rights and freedoms, to encourage a genuine dialogue of national consensus in the country, and to grant all fellow citizens comprehensive and realistic means for local self-governance, which would allow every citizen of Ukraine to be a master in his own country. In Ukraine, it is not the formal structure of power sharing that needs to be changed, but rather its real substance. This perspective will undoubtedly trouble all totalitarian forces with imperial ambitions who now see in Ukraine the emergence of successful alternatives to a controlled pseudo-democracy.
Russian chauvinism is not interested in the rights of any person, including the real needs of the Russian people, whose difficult economic, social, and demographic conditions are generating justified international concern and alarm. Russia’s severe internal problems should suffice to restrain the aggressor.
Ukraine demands that the Russian Federation immediately cease all interference in the internal matters of Ukraine and implements a public commitment to deescalate the situation.
Ukraine is ready for international resolution and dialogue in formats that will ensure practical results in clearly specified timeframes.
Issues pertaining to the sovereign right of the Ukrainian people to determine their own internal and foreign policies cannot be the subject of negotiation. We warn the Russian side against all intrusive attempts to devise a constitution for Ukraine. These intentions have nothing to do with the interests of our citizens. They reflect the plan for occupation and stagnation.
The fundamental components of any settlement must include the cessation of aggressive actions, rhetoric, and subversion by the Russian Federation against our country, the rejection by Russia of plans of conquest, which constitute a direct threat to all neighboring states and to international peace and security, and the withdrawal of the armed forces of Russia from the borders of Ukraine and from the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.
Ukraine welcomes the solidarity of the global community in defense of its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of its borders. Our joint efforts must be driven by the determination and steadfast commitment to return Russia to the civilized world of international relations, rights, and the coexistence of states.
Source: http://mfa.gov.ua/ua/press-center/news/21311-zajava-mzs-shhodo-vtruchannya-rf-u-vnutrishni-spravi-ukrajini
Translated by Anna Mostovych
