The anti-terrorist operation in eastern Ukraine is a real war, however it cannot be recognized as one legally and a state of emergency cannot be declared, member of Parliament, leader of the Strong Ukraine party Sergiy Tigipko said.
“First of all, we should recognize that no counter-terrorism
operation exists. A real war with tanks, planes and heavy arms is under
way,” Tigipko said on Aug 5 when speaking at the Strong Ukraine party
congress.
At that, introducing a military emergency in eastern regions of
Ukraine “poses serious diplomatic and financial risks to Ukraine,” he
said.
The army operation must be stopped in order to preserve lives,
Tigipko said. “Every day of the war is a shot in Ukraine’s back. Every
dead person is a blow to the future… So we are obliged to end the war as
quickly as possible,” he said.
In order to stop the war, it is necessary, firstly, to consolidate
the country, the second important step is supporting professional army
and protecting civilians is third direction, Tigipko said.
The conflict parties should negotiate and it is necessary to start
restoring the economy, Tigipko said. “We should pass urgently a national
plan to protect civilians from the consequences of war,” he said.
Earlier on Aug 5 Tigipko was re-elected Strong Ukraine chairman at the party congress.
It has been reported that in March 2012 it was decided at a Strong
Ukraine congress to dissolve the party voluntarily and its members were
recommended to join the Party of Regions. On the same day Tigipko was
elected Party of Regions member, deputy chairman and political council
member.
Tigipko was excluded from the Party of Regions in 2014 following a
party congress, at which it has been decided to support Mykhailo Dobkin
at the presidential elections.
The merger of the Strong Ukraine with the Party of Regions was a
mistake so Strong Ukraine will be restored, Tigipko said in April 2014.
