During his working visit to the Kharkiv Oblast on Tuesday, February 3, President Petro Poroshenko stressed that enemies are planning to “set the Kharkiv region on fire” and that that he believes the Kharkiv oblast is threatened with destabilization, reports Dzerkalo Tyzhnia, citing the president’s press service.
“Through its network of agents, our enemy has planned and continues to plan to set the Kharkiv Oblast on fire and to bring the same suffering and misfortune that he has already brought down on the heads of the residents of the Donbas,” Poroshenko said.
Poroshenko also thanked Kharkiv and all of Sloboda Ukraine (historic region of Ukraine, also known as Slobozhanshchyna — Ed.) for the fact that during the past year they have made and continue to make great efforts to preserve peace and stability in the region as well as the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
“We are strong primarily because of our unity,” Poroshenko said. “I am sure we will win, that we will prevail, that we will reform and change the country.”
Poroshenko noted that despite ideological differences, the political forces in the Kharkiv Oblast support unity and the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
“The political conflicts are internal and have to do with political competition and struggle. They should not aggravate the situation. They need to be resolved in a civilized manner in local elections,” he said.
Poroshenko also listed the fundamental elements in the structure of the state on which there can be no compromise.
“Ukraine will not be federated but will remain a unitary state. The European choice is not subject to debate, and the only official language is and will be Ukrainian,” he emphasized.
However, Poroshenko pointed out that no one will ever infringe on the right of Ukrainians to speak any language they find convenient, including Russian.
He also recognized the important role of the military-industrial complex of the Kharkiv Oblast in strengthening the country’s defense.
“Kharkiv’s role in this matter is outstanding. This is where our armor is forged,” he said.
