Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has urged politicians of the East and the West to stop fighting for Ukraine.
“Ukraine’s historical fate was difficult from the beginning, since the time of the Kyivan state. Because our land lies at the crossroads, on the border between the East and the West. The influence of two different civilizations cannot but affect the mentality of different parts of our single, I stress, single people. That is why, throughout their history, our people have had great difficulties. There were huge losses, there were tragedies. But at the same time, there has always been people’s will to unite Ukraine. Many brilliant people died for this idea,” the president said in a comment made available to Interfax-Ukraine on Thursday.
“It happened so that it was during the Soviet times that Ukraine again became a united state. And it will remain indivisible. I guarantee you this. As long as I lead Ukraine no one will be able to divide it,” Yanukovych said.
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“How can politicians from the East and the West help? They need to stop squabbling for Ukraine. Our people will cope with the problems we are now experiencing. Of course, we are grateful for your intentions. But let’s face it – sometimes these intentions mask a simple fight for influence over Ukraine. Our state is independent. Our nation is mature. We want to and we can decide the fate of our country,” the president said.
The President has also assured European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso that he is committed to holding a political dialog with the opposition and is not planning to declare a state of emergency in the country, European Commission spokesperson Olivier Bailly has said.
“He [Yanukovych] assured the European Commission president that he is committed and ready to engage in a political dialog, and assured that the introduction of a state of emergency in Ukraine is not expected,” he said at a press conference in Brussels on Thursday.
