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Donbass militia leader says he opposes partition of Ukraine

He commented on the idea of creating independent Bessarabia, a historic region in Eastern Europe where modern-day Moldova and Ukraine are located, or an autonomous Odessa republic as part of Ukraine

Leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic Alexander Zakharchenko Valeriy Sharifulin/TASS

Leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic Alexander Zakharchenko

© Valeriy Sharifulin/TASS

MOSCOW, May 4. /TASS/. Leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic Alexander Zakharchenko said during his Q&A session with residents of Odessa and Bessarabia on Wednesday that he is against Ukraine’s partition.

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"I have already said that I’m the opponent of territorial partition, except for the cases when one part of a state unleashes genocide against the other one," Zakharchenko said during the Q&A session broadcast live by the Donetsk news agency.

Zakharchenko commented on the idea of creating an independent Bessarabia, a historic region in Eastern Europe where modern-day Moldova and Ukraine are located, or an autonomous Odessa republic as part of Ukraine.

The politician said it is "better to agree on the principles of common life and build future together."

"Thus, in the part of Bessarabia that is located in the Odessa region, in my opinion it is better in to define the future of the region together and then to hold a referendum and talks with Kiev or cut ties with Kiev," he said

Speaking on Transdniestria, the unrecognized republic on the territory of Moldova, he said the self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Lugansk have "friendly and respectful" relations with the region.

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Donbass militia leader predicts short life for current Kiev authorities

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