Ukrainian ex-President Leonid Kravchuk called to Victor Yanukovich for the necessity of national dialogue

Four Ukrainian Presidents: Leonid Kravchuk, Leonid Kuchma,
Victor Yushchenko and Victor Yanukovich
(Image:  Vid-Golos)

Ukrainian first President Leonid Kravchuk has addressed Victor Yanukovich to hold negotiations and to organize national dialogue attended by the government and opposition in order to resolve the deepening political crisis in Ukraine and to avoid escalation in the country.

Negotiations attended by the representatives of the current government and oppositional forces are necessary in order to find the peaceful and political solution of the crisis and to avoid use of violence strongly condemned also by EU and Western politicians.

According to the press-service and official spokesperson of Ukrainian current President Victor Yanukovich has accepted Leonid Kravchuk’s invitation to the national dialogue and is ready for the talks with Ukrainian oppositions.

On Tuesday Victor Yanukovich is expected to meet with three previous Presidents of Ukraine, Leonid Kravchuk, Leonid Kuchma and Victor Yushchenko. Presidents plan to discuss the most important issues and questions and situation in Ukraine and possible ways of resolving the crisis.

As for the oppositional forces, their representatives stated before that they will hold negotiations with the current government only after their main demands will be met which include resignation of Interior Minister, resignation of Cabinet of Ministers, investigations and punishing of those responsible for beating the peaceful protesters on 30 November and 1 December, release of all the political detainees and people detained unlawfully after the recent clashes.

European politicians and diplomats are also calling for the government and authorities to listen to the demands of people and to hold negotiations with the oppositional forces. Western politicians and diplomats, many of whom are currently in Kyiv, have strongly condemned recent actions of Ukrainian government and expressed their concern regarding the current situation in Ukraine.

EU’s Catherine Ashton and USA Victoria Nuland are expected to arrive in Kyiv on Tuesday in order to mediate in the negotiations between the opposition and government. Delegation of EPP of European Parliament is also in Kyiv.