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Pro-Russian groups to stay put in east Ukraine until referendum takes place
18 Apr 2014: Occupations of public buildings across eastern Ukraine continue as pro-Russian separatists accuse Kiev of violating Geneva deal
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Occupations of public buildings across eastern Ukraine continue as pro-Russian separatists accuse Kiev of violating Geneva deal - theguardian.com,
A masked pro-Russian activist inside a building seized in Donetsk, Ukraine. Photograph: Sergei Grits/AP
Pro-Russian groups in eastern Ukraine
have accused the authorities in Kiev of violating an agreement to
defuse tensions across the country, adding that they have no intention
of leaving buildings they have occupied.
On Thursday Russia, Ukraine, the EU and the United States signed an agreement in Geneva that was supposed to see illegal groups withdraw from municipal buildings and give up their weapons.
At a press conference on Friday, however, Denis Pushilin, the self-styled leader of the Donetsk People's Republic, said his supporters would stay put until a referendum on the region's future status took place. The current pro-western government in Kiev was illegitimate, he said.
Referring to Ukraine's interim prime minister, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, and president, Olexsandr Turchynov, he added: "We understand that everyone has to leave buildings or nobody does. Yatsenyuk and Turchynov should vacate theirs first."
Pushilin – speaking from the occupied regional administration building in central Donetsk – said that Kiev had already violated the Geneva deal by refusing to withdraw its military units from eastern Ukraine. "They have not pulled their forces out from Slavyansk," he said, referring to the town taken over by armed separatists a week ago. Ukrainian troops currently occupy an aerodrome close to Slavyansk and the neighbouring town of Kramatorsk.
Pushilin delivered his message on Russian state television, which had turned up to interview him. He appeared to be speaking from a carefully drafted script and was surrounded by several media advisers. He also claimed Kiev was denying the local population access to insulin, and asked Russian civilians to send money to a bank account to help. Kiev says separatist leaders in the east are under the direct control of Russian's spy agencies. Moscow denies the charge and says it is not meddling.
Pushilin's comments suggest that the Geneva agreement is already unravelling. Pro-Russian separatists on Friday continued their occupations in a string of public buildings across eastern Ukraine and said they were not budging.
There was no sign of separatist groups pulling out from their positions in Donetsk or surrounding towns. Anti-Kiev activists have been in control of the city hall in Khartsyzsk, an industrial city 30 miles from Donetsk, since Sunday. They said they had no plans to leave. Barricades of tyres have been built around the city hall, which flies the flag of the Donetsk People's Republic. Banners draped outside proclaim "No to Fascism" and "No to the EU". Another banner reads "Russia+Donbass=heart".
At the barricade Vladimir Pakhomovich, a former miner, said: "We are not Moscow or Kiev. They do not command us. We are just here to defend our people. Until we get a referendum, we do not intend to leave."
Pakhomovich said he was aware of the agreement made in Geneva but said he did not feel beholden to Russia's foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, or the president, Vladimir Putin. "We are prepared to ignore Lavrov. Why should we listen to him?" he said.
The occupation continued in other eastern cities. In Makiivka, closer to Donetsk, public buildings flew the flag of the Donetsk People's Republic. A flag of the Russian Federation that had flown earlier in the week had been taken down.
On Thursday Russia, Ukraine, the EU and the United States signed an agreement in Geneva that was supposed to see illegal groups withdraw from municipal buildings and give up their weapons.
At a press conference on Friday, however, Denis Pushilin, the self-styled leader of the Donetsk People's Republic, said his supporters would stay put until a referendum on the region's future status took place. The current pro-western government in Kiev was illegitimate, he said.
Referring to Ukraine's interim prime minister, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, and president, Olexsandr Turchynov, he added: "We understand that everyone has to leave buildings or nobody does. Yatsenyuk and Turchynov should vacate theirs first."
Pushilin – speaking from the occupied regional administration building in central Donetsk – said that Kiev had already violated the Geneva deal by refusing to withdraw its military units from eastern Ukraine. "They have not pulled their forces out from Slavyansk," he said, referring to the town taken over by armed separatists a week ago. Ukrainian troops currently occupy an aerodrome close to Slavyansk and the neighbouring town of Kramatorsk.
Pushilin delivered his message on Russian state television, which had turned up to interview him. He appeared to be speaking from a carefully drafted script and was surrounded by several media advisers. He also claimed Kiev was denying the local population access to insulin, and asked Russian civilians to send money to a bank account to help. Kiev says separatist leaders in the east are under the direct control of Russian's spy agencies. Moscow denies the charge and says it is not meddling.
Pushilin's comments suggest that the Geneva agreement is already unravelling. Pro-Russian separatists on Friday continued their occupations in a string of public buildings across eastern Ukraine and said they were not budging.
There was no sign of separatist groups pulling out from their positions in Donetsk or surrounding towns. Anti-Kiev activists have been in control of the city hall in Khartsyzsk, an industrial city 30 miles from Donetsk, since Sunday. They said they had no plans to leave. Barricades of tyres have been built around the city hall, which flies the flag of the Donetsk People's Republic. Banners draped outside proclaim "No to Fascism" and "No to the EU". Another banner reads "Russia+Donbass=heart".
At the barricade Vladimir Pakhomovich, a former miner, said: "We are not Moscow or Kiev. They do not command us. We are just here to defend our people. Until we get a referendum, we do not intend to leave."
Pakhomovich said he was aware of the agreement made in Geneva but said he did not feel beholden to Russia's foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, or the president, Vladimir Putin. "We are prepared to ignore Lavrov. Why should we listen to him?" he said.
The occupation continued in other eastern cities. In Makiivka, closer to Donetsk, public buildings flew the flag of the Donetsk People's Republic. A flag of the Russian Federation that had flown earlier in the week had been taken down.
- COPY http://www.theguardian.com
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