Interfax-Ukraine
August 5, 2014
Army operation in eastern Ukraine should be stopped – Strong Ukraine leader Tigipko
The anti-terrorist operation in eastern Ukraine is a real war, however it cannot be recognized as one legally and a state of emergency cannot be declared, MP, leader of the Strong Ukraine party Sergiy Tigipko said.
“First of all, we should recognize that no counter-terrorism operation exists. A real war with tanks, planes and heavy arms is under way,” Tigipko said on Tuesday when speaking at the Strong Ukraine party congress.
At that, introducing a military emergency in eastern regions of Ukraine “poses serious diplomatic and financial risks to Ukraine,” he said.
The army operation must be stopped in order to preserve lives, Tigipko said. “Every day of the war is a shot in Ukraine’s back. Every dead person is a blow to the future… So we are obliged to end the war as quickly as possible,” he said.
In order to stop the war, it is necessary, firstly, to consolidate the country, the second important step is supporting professional army and protecting civilians is third direction, Tigipko said.
The conflict parties should negotiate and it is necessary to start restoring the economy, Tigipko said. “We should pass urgently a national plan to protect civilians from the consequences of war,” he said.
Earlier on Tuesday Tigipko was re-elected Strong Ukraine chairman at the party congress.
It has been reported that in March 2012 it was decided at a Strong Ukraine congress to dissolve the party voluntarily and its members were recommended to join the Party of Regions. On the same day Tigipko was elected Party of Regions member, deputy chairman and political council member.
Tigipko was excluded from the Party of Regions in 2014 following a party congress, at which it has been decided to support Mykhailo Dobkin at the presidential elections.
The merger of the Strong Ukraine with the Party of Regions was a mistake so Strong Ukraine will be restored, Tigipko said in April 2014.
Source