Ukraine proposes 'round table' meeting over crisis
Iran Press TV
Fri May 9, 2014 7:46AM GMT
Ukraine's interim authorities have proposed holding a round table meeting to resolve the crisis in the country.
Ukraine's acting President Oleksander Turchinov and Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk said in a joint statement on Thursday that Kiev is ready to talk with all those who have legitimate political goals.
"Today we declare an initiative for creation of all-Ukrainian round tables of national unity. We are ready to talk with all those who have legitimate political goals and are ready to pursue them by legal means - with those who do not have blood on their hands," the statement said.
They also said that amnesty would be granted to those protesters who have left occupied state buildings in southeast Ukraine with the exception of those found guilty of capital crimes.
Kiev earlier said it will not negotiate with what it called "terrorists." Moscow has rejected the term, saying the Ukrainian leaders must talk with all parties if they want to de-escalate the crisis in the country.
Earlier this week, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergi Lavrov expressed his doubts over international talks on Ukraine, saying the crisis would not end until all forces in the country are present at the negotiating table.
Pro-Russia protests gained momentum in the eastern and southern parts of Ukraine after Crimea declared independence from the former Soviet state and formally became part of the Russian Federation following a referendum in March.
On May 2, Ukraine's army has stepped up its offensive in the southeast in a bid to root out the pro-Russia demonstrations.
According to reports, nearly 90 people were killed during the Kiev government's military operations around the flashpoint city of Slavyansk and the southern port city of Odessa last week.
MOS/NN
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