Kyiv, May 11, 2014 – Serhiy Pashynsky, Acting Head of Presidential Administration of Ukraine, during a press briefing at the Ukraine Crisis Media Center said that the anti-terrorist operation in the region of Krasny Liman – Kramators’k – Slovyansk is in the active phase. During the operation bases of separatists – terrorists had been destroyed in response to attempts by terrorists to move into action the night before. Commenting on the situation in Mariupol city Mr. Pashynsky added: “In Mariupol situation is very tense, and we do everything in order to reduce the degree of conflict in society, and to find a compromise; in any case we are not going to kill civilians, we are fighting and will fight only with the terrorists.”
Serhiy Pashynsky also commented on holding a pseudo-referendum on the territory of Lugansk and Donetsk regions: “In fact, no referendum is not carried out, is nothing more than an information campaign started by terrorists to conceal their crimes using the opinion of residents of Lugansk and Donetsk regions. There is no “referendum” at two-thirds of the regions in general, and in some major cities, which are under the control of terrorists, are mini demonstrations, which are fixed on the printer printed bulletins.”
Commenting the statement of Metinvest holding, which is owned by Ukrainian billionaire from Donbas Rinat Akhmetov, about the disqualification of Ukrainian troops and the establishment of its own armed defense groups, Pashynsky said: “These statements have cause for concern, as they may cause destabilization, and we will not allow this. We understand that this step not only would solve the problems in the region, but also jeopardizes the spread of the situation in other regions of Ukraine. Of course we will not accept any paramilitary units other than those we create. Today, we are actively working to establish self-defense battalions. Mobilization to the National Guard is under process. Anyone who wish to defend the territory of Ukraine – have such opportunity within the legal framework.”
Commenting on the situation with the rights of citizens of Ukraine in Crimea and in the East, Serhiy Pashynsky said: “We have adopted a set of laws and provided funding and delivery of these funds to ARC – we are doing everything possible to ensure the rights of citizens of Ukraine at the eastern and southern Ukraine, including Donetsk and Lugansk regions. By Friday we paid pensions to retired, subsidies to miners, salaries to doctors. The Treasury has no debt to residents of these regions. In the case of blocking of public authorities’ buildings, we will be unable to meet our obligations and the responsibility for the failure to pay wages etc. will be on mayors of these cities.”
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