Statement by the YABLOKO Bureau, 16.05.2014

“The political position taken by the Russian leadership in line with nationalist and imperialist forces plays an important role in the ongoing violence in South-East Ukraine,” runs a statement adopted today by YABLOKO’s Bureau.

“The spread of a civil war in the neighbouring state is a tragedy not only for Ukraine but also for Russia. The policies targeted at instigating of a civil war in the neighbouring state generate a dire threat to our country,” the party Bureau states.

“Creation of both of a long-term zone of ongoing hostilities close to our borders, and the emergence of the so-called “black holes” with warlords and chaos in the form of formations without any prospects of turning into a state are unacceptable. Today, due to provocations, connivance and irresponsibility demonstrated by all the parties of the conflict, such prospects have become real for over 6 million residents of Donetsk and Luhansk regions,” notes the Bureau.

YABLOKO believes that the choice of the Russian authorities in favour of further formal or informal annexation will have a disastrous impact on the economic and political situation of our country. Internal mobilisation for conducting such an undeclared war will only be possible by relying on extreme nationalist and totalitarian forces. Such a choice will lead to a complete collapse in Russia.

The alternative is recognition of the sovereignty of Ukraine and resolution of the conflict by political and diplomatic means, with the participation of all the interested groups of the Ukrainian society, Russia and the European Union.

“The events clearly show the correctness of our proposals on March 14, 2014, on the need to urgently convoke International Conference on the Political, Legal and Military Issues Related to Ukraine, in particular, on the whole range of issues of Crimea and South-East Ukraine with the participation of all the interested parties,” the Bureau concludes.