You're reading: Poroshenko: I will oppose those creating riots and anarchy in Ukraine for Russia’s sake

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has said that he will oppose all forces and persons who will try to organize public unrest and stir up anarchist moods in the state.

“I warn those who go beyond these principles, the law and common sense, that I will oppose all those who will try to incite disorder and anarchy in Ukraine to please Russia. I will oppose both by conviction and the force of law enforcement agencies,” Poroshenko said on March 17, speaking on the occasion of the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Ukrainian Revolution of 1917-1921 in the National Museum of History of Ukraine.

Poroshenko said he believes that many people in Ukraine do not know the difference between democracy and Makhnovshchyna (derived from the name of famous anarchist Nestor Makhno who was commander of an anarchist army formed largely of Ukrainian peasants and workers in 1918–1921).

“We will lose statehood unless everyone realizes that only the state has a monopoly on the use of force, that all protests have to be solely peaceful, that addiction to weapons is to be demonstrated only on the front and that railway tracks should be blown up in the enemy’s territory not in the rear of our own troops,” Poroshenko said.

He called on all political forces in Ukraine to take into account, in their internal political battles, the difficult external circumstances under which Ukraine has been building up its European future.

“You want to struggle against the president? Please do, that’s why you’re the opposition. But don’t rock Ukraine, don’t set it on fire!” Poroshenko addressed politicians.