KIEV, May 14. /ITAR-TASS/. Confrontation in the south-eastern regions of Ukraine escalated because the Kiev authorities have lost control over the situation, presidential candidate Yuriy Boyko said on Wednesday.
“After seizing power in the country, the present government set the task of a very quick revenge for past defeats instead of working towards stabilization of the situation. When people saw this, they simply got frightened,” sayd Boiko, Ukraine’s former Deputy Prime Minister.
A process of reconciliation between the east and the west of the country is needed, he says. “The attitude to history, to the future of the country and the state’s form of government differs to a great extent in the west and in the east of Ukraine,” Boyko noted. “The balance among the regions has been upset for the last several years, and now we face the results” he said. “Earlier, one part of the country was trying to dominate over another, and now it is the other way around - that other part of the country seeks revenge. That is why relations of the west and the east of the country need certain reconciliation in cultural and political terms,” the presidential candidate added.
Boyko noted that international mediation was needed for stabilization in Ukraine. “At the moment, Ukraine is facing the most difficult situation since the end of World War II,” he said, adding that the mediation of Russia and the United States could “ensure stabilization”.
He sees the four-party talks with the participation of Ukraine, Russia, the European Union and the United States in Geneva as a very good signal for the crisis settlement. “The Geneva conference, the start of a dialogue is a good signal for the settlement of emerging problems under the aegis of international mediation,” he said.
Settling Ukraine's gas bebts
Boyko said talks with Russia should be held sooner or later to settle the gas debt.
“It will be difficult to solve the problem quickly. It is necessary to reach an agreement,” the presidential candidate added. “I’m confident that the Ukrainian authorities should continue the negotiations with Russia to settle the gas debt,” he said.
“Today the gas situation is difficult: debts accumulate and the dispute continues. In one or two months we are to prepare for the winter and take decisions,” Boyko said. “As vice-premier I took part in the talks throughout the year,” he said. “This is the scrupulous work that is why we should work instead of exchanging accusations,” Boyko said.