Ukrainian Communist Party leader Petro Symonenko has expressed his indignation at the operation in eastern Ukraine and proposed an immediate referendum on the administrative and territorial division of Ukraine and the broadest powers of local communities.
“This is the only way to preserve the integrity and unity of the country,” the party press service quoted Symonenko as saying.
“The so-called anti-terrorist operation the authorities have launched
in the southeast is nothing else but a war on their own people,” he
said.
This is the first time in the history of independent Ukraine that the
authorities have moved army units against Ukrainian citizens living in
eastern and southeastern regions who have been demanding the recognition
of Russian as a second state language since the first days of
independence, Symonenko said.
“The authorities have moved tanks and infantry combat vehicles
against their own citizens campaigning for a federalization referendum
and broader rights of territorial communities. The Communist Party
categorically condemns this violence,” the party leader said.
The use of arms against Ukrainian citizens defending their lawful
rights has become possible as a result “of the power grab by national
fascists in Ukraine,” the press service quoted Symonenko as saying.
