Ukraine, Yatseniuk: “Our army is ready to protect the country”

The Prime Minister urged for a peaceful solution, yet “In case of an escalation we will act even there is an enormous imbalance between our forces.” Kiev is “ready to sign the Association Agreement with the European Union as soon as possible.”

They actually do not want to do it, they are aware everything is at stake. Yet if forced, Ukrainians are ready to fight against Russian army. From Brussels the temporary Prime Minister of Ukraine, Arseniy Yatseniuk, said they were “repeatedly challenged by the Russian Federation” yet they “avoided to deploy their army, given that this would be the expected scenario” for Moscow. Kiev’s intentions, said Yatseniuk after the meeting he had with the EU Head of State or Government, is to do everything possible to solve the situation “peacefully.” If that outcome resulted impossible, “in case of further escalation and military intervention into Ukrainian territory by foreign forces, the Ukrainian government and military will act in accordance with the constitution and laws.” That is, “We are ready to protect our country,” warned Yatseniuk. This could be a void menace for the Russian Federation, and the Ukrainian Prime Minister is well aware of that: Moscow is “a nuclear superpower, and if there is a conflict things would not evolve in favour of Ukraine,” he admitted. Yet, “even though we would have less weapons,” he added, “we have the spirit, the force of the Ukrainian revolution, the spirit of freedom.”

In Kiev, the situation became unsustainable: “Russian tanks on our territory are not acceptable. Please, tell me which is the limit,” asked Yatseniuk, “What is really happening to safety at global level? Are we getting crazy? Is it possible for a Country, without any reason, to decide suddenly to invade another Country? We should do something at global level.” And, to do it quickly, because “this is not the end,” added Yatseniuk, “we would really like it to be the end, but God knows where the Russian Federation will stop.” Every attempt to build a dialogue with Moscow have failed so far, “We have called for governmental contacts, and I want to be clear: we are not an anti-Russia government, we are a pro-Ukraine government and we will protect our values.”

The Union can play a key role in de-escalating the situation, said Yatseniuk: “We are waiting for a solution to be proposed by EU Member States, we are sure it will help stabilizing the situation, soothing revolts and starting negotiations.” Ukraine also confirmed its commitment of getting closer to Europe: “The government is ready to sign the Association Agreement as soon as possible.”

The financial aid package offered by the Union is crucial: “We are grateful, because we need to stabilize the situation urgently,” said Yatseniuk, “we are in a desperate financial situation but the government is trying to maintain stability, fulfilling its obligations, covering all the expenses and answer to its citizens’ needs.”

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