Klimkin: idea of referendum in Donbas is rehearsal of implementing Kremlin's scenario to federalize Ukraine for its demise

13:56, 21.07.2018 1 min read

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin claims that there is no prospect for the Kremlin's idea to hold a referendum in the occupied territories of Donbas, given the impossibility of free and fair expression of people's will in conditions of occupation.

"Many experts and journalists call me: ask me to comment on the Russian proposal for a "referendum in Donbas"... As for this insolence I will say briefly: no one, literally nobody, believes in any opportunity for free and fair expression of will in Donbas in conditions of Russian occupation. As for political and legal aspects, everything is clear," Klimkin wrote on Facebook.

At the same time, the minister expressed conviction that Russia is not interested in Donbas and the citizens of Ukraine living in this region. According to him, the steps and statements of Russian authorities on changing the status of the occupied Ukrainian region, as well as statements about changing the state structure of the country towards federalization are aimed at breaking up Ukraine.