Statement by the Russian United Democratic Party YABLOKO, 19/02/2014

At present the conflict in Ukraine has entered the stage of mass bloodshed. We bring our deep condolences to the families of those killed and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.

Once again, we are calling on all the parties of the conflict to stop violence and begin negotiations. We condemn all those who took up arms and shed blood.

For the recent months Viktor Yanukovych has absolutely discredited himself as a politician. However, it is obvious at present, that not only the authorities but also the opposition bear the responsibility for the bloodshed.

Thinking that joint actions with radical nationalists, semi-criminal elements and simply hooligans were possible, the leaders of the oppositional parliamentary parties gave them the control over the protesters and, therefore, could not prevent the onset of violence and further escalation of violence. On uniting with the different types of radicals and ultra-nationalists and therefore legitimising them, the political opposition lost the chance for a peaceful development.

Taking advantage of helplessness of the authorities and promiscuity of the opposition, radical nationalists began implementing their plans targeting at the pogrom of the state, quite in the spirit of the Bolsheviks. This led to a disaster, and there emerged a danger of unleashing a civil war which can lead to a chaos and disintegration of the country.

Consequently, due to the actions of the radicals, the idea of European integration has been turning into a factor splitting the society rather than a factor uniting a sane society. It makes a significant negative impact on the Russian politics. The events in Ukraine have given a powerful trump card into the hands of the Russian authorities allowing them to defame the pro-European opposition inside Russia.

The Russian democratic opposition must learn the Ukrainian lesson so that not to get in the similar situation in the future. Making unions and alliances without taking into account differences in the views and tolerance to intolerant nationalists and radicals means preparing the basis for self-discreditation and the chaos of street fighting.

The YABLOKO party will spare no effort so that the situation in Russia would not develop according to the Ukrainian scenario.

Sergei Mitrokhin,

YABLOKO Chairman