The head of Government of the autonomous republic of Crimea, Sergei Aksionov, on wednesday minimized the legitimacy of the new Ukrainian authorities and ratified that the peninsula’s will in the referendum on the region’s status will be guaranteed. Asked about possible negotiations with the Supreme Rada (Parliament), Aksionov pointed out that the Crimean Government will not respond to that proposition, because it considers that Ukrainian authorities are illegitimate.
The opposition factions taking over by force of the Executive and the Legislature and the destitution of elected President Viktor Yanukovich (2010) have caused mass unrest in Ukraine’s eastern and southern regions, where people opposed the anti government protests by Maidan and the violent actions of neo-fascist organizations.
“Those authorities that invite us (Crimea) to hold negotiations, we do not consider them legitimate and that is the main problem”, stressed Aksionov, who was elected on February 27 as the new head of Government by the Crimean Parliament and whose appointment Kiev does not recognize either.
Asked about an eventual separation of Crimea, the politician repeated that it is a decision that concerns the inhabitants of the peninsula, who will be able to express their choice in the popular referendum and whose will we will respect, he noted.
Regarding the steps taken by the autonomous Government to create its own armed forces and fleet, the prime minister stated that all military corps should be subordinated to the autonomous power of Crimea, particularly its Parliament.
Aksionov added that most military groups have already joined the side of the legitimate authorities of the territory and are willing to be sworn in. (PL)