Yanukovich proposes holding referendum on Donbass status

Ex-President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovich proposes hold a referendum on the status of Donbass for peaceful settlement of the conflict in the region. This proposal is included in his address to the leaders of Germany, France, Poland, the Council of Europe, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and the European Parliament, as well as the letters to the presidents of Russia and the United States. The address was made public during the interview that Yanukovich gave to a group of Russian and Ukrainian journalists in connection with the third anniversary of the coup in Ukraine.

“In case the current Ukrainian authorities do not comply with the Minsk agreements, it is necessary to initiate a referendum on the status of Donbass,” the statement said. Yanukovich also considers it necessary to “include representatives of the protesting party, representing the people of Donbass republics, in the Normandy format negotiations.”

Yanukovich is confident that the majority of citizens of Ukraine will support any peace initiative. “I know the sentiment of the people in Ukraine,” he said during the interview. “The country’s population will support any steps for the peaceful settlement, only a small part of the radicals enjoys the fact that blood is shed. I think the authorities will still be forced to put them in their place, otherwise they will overthrow them,” he said.

Commenting on the actions of radicals, who in recent weeks blocked rail transportation of coal from Donbass, the ex-president noted that any blockade of Donbas is not good for the country and further pushes away the people of the region. “Well, then let them say openly that they do not need Donbass,” Yanukovich said, adding that if the authorities need this region, it is necessary to begin negotiations. “Without participation of representatives of Donbass in the talks it will be very difficult to solve this problem,” he said.