The chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, Refat Chubarov, has stated in a news conference 8 Aug., that the issue of return of Crimea, annexed by Russia, should be addressed in parallel with the problems in Donbas: 'The issue of the return of Crimea should stand at the same level with the fight against terrorists. Someone seems that there is an order: let's agree on the completion of the ATO, take up the de-escalation, and then the return of Crimea. But such a procedure is impossible. We should talk about three priorities simultaneously. ... all the events in Ukraine will result in global negotiations. We must fight with terrorists, but also prepare for the negotiations. To weaken the Russian side there should an unquestioning argument concerning Crimea. Its capture is a violation of the rights of indigenous peoples.'
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| a woman in Luhansk cooking food outside because electricity and water has been cut |
Also on 8 Aug., a government bill on the introduction of criminal sanctions will be able to charge Viktor Yanukovych in absentia. According to Prime Minister Yatsenyuk, speaking in a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, Yanukovych will be subject to a special procedure of criminal proceedings as a consequence of his being wanted for 'crimes against humanity and mass murder'. Under the law, the Ukrainian state will be able to criminally sanction all those who supported the annexation of Crimea and who are now supporting and financing terrorists on the territory of Ukraine (through sanctioning their banks, financial companies, businesses and private property).
Yatsenyuk also introduced a sanctions plan against Russia, consisting of 26 points, would target Russia's defense, financial, transport, energy and information technology sectors. The sanctions plan needs an approval from the Ukrainian parliament and the National Security and Defense Council to come into force.
Also, the self-proclaimed prime minister of the Donetsk People’s Republic, Alexander Borodai, a Russian national, announced his resignation on Aug. 7. He will be replaced Alexander Zakharchenko, a Ukrainian citizen from Donetsk Oblast and member of the militant group Oplot
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There are ongoing tensions at the Independence Square, Maidan Square, in Kyiv between persons continuing to live in the tent-village there, and those that want to re-build the site/clean-up the tent area. Tyres were burnt yesterday (7 Aug) by persons resisting the city workers who came to clean the space.
1. Many people who are now on Independence Square have no relationship to the MAIDAN, and should leave this place. This is my personal opinion.
2. People who are the MAIDAN and still “stand” on Independence Square, and are not part of ATO, do not prepare the country for the coming “winter shock”, do nothing to fight aggression, do not feed their families or their country; in fact, they are themselves “dependent” on others and do nothing to generate new initiatives – these people should make their own decisions as to where they are most needed now. We should also help them “find themselves”.
3. The MAIDAN, and not the government, should take the initiative to “reformat” the movement. First and foremost, it is the people of Kyiv who constitute the foundation and source of MAIDAN, so they should be allowed to express their opinion.
4. The MAIDAN cannot be dispersed and must not be dispersed.
5. The MAIDAN cannot be appropriated and no one should make speculations about it.
We made most of the decisions during popular Viches on the Maidan.
Five thousand people – this is not a Viche, but a vote of non-confidence addressed by the people of Kyiv to those who today call themselves the Maidan.
I repeat – this is my personal opinion.
The fate of tents, barricades and the stage should be decided by the people of Kyiv. Their views must be unconditional.
The fate of the MAIDAN should be resolved by the Ukrainians who demonstrated and came to the MAIDAN, those who protected and inspired Ukraine towards a better future. The format of the MAIDAN must be seen as EFFECTIVE FORCE and POPULAR GOVERNANCE. Moreover, the MAIDAN cannot disappear. We must find this format as soon as possible. We must not let the flame of popular faith be extinguished.
We should make a quick and accurate evaluation of everything and everyone that discredit the MAIDAN, turn it into a lame horse, an avatar or a power source; we should separate the wheat from the chaff. This should be done immediately.
Ruslana is a singer, Maidan activist. Translated by Christine Chraibi
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