Kiev should be informed no alternative to regions’ interests in constitution drafting

MOSCOW, April 14 (Itar-Tass) - Current Kiev authorities should be informed that there is no alternative to interests of regions taken into account in drafting a country’s Constitution, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday. “Therefore, I confirm once again that this is not in Russian interests to destabilise current situation in Ukraine,” he noted, adding that “It is in Russia’s interests for Ukraine to be united and all national, ethnic groups without exclusion and all regions without exclusion to feel in Ukraine as citizens with equal rights, but not subhumans who have to hear insults daily and suffer humiliation by neo-Nazis who are fighting to seize power as a participant in the coalition.” “This meets Russian interests - an integral, united, friendly to us, brotherly Ukraine, citizens of which live calmly, live in their homeland, enjoying all rights and having an opportunity to communicate with their neighbours on the other side of the border without any problems,” Lavrov noted. “It is possible to attain this only through a deep constitutional reform in which all political forces and regions without exclusion should participate on an equal basis,” he said. “I am not aware of details of a referendum that is announced on May 25 on state status. As this is very important what will be put up for a referendum,” Lavrov added, noting that “I have already had an opportunity to comment on current situation in drafting a new constitution. A certain group or a committee set up in [Ukraine’s parliament] the Verkhovna Rada is engaged in this work that is little known. For instance, I do not know what it is all about there, our partners in the southeast of the country, judging by their demands, are also unaware of what this group or a committee does.” “If a certain text should be drafted in the Verkhovna Rada without regions and then put it up for a referendum and probably this does not meet those criteria which we are speaking about and which south-eastern Ukraine is speaking about and we support a position of south-eastern Ukrainian residents,” the foreign minister said, adding that “The demands are to invite them to involve in direct drafting of a constitution text, but not just a nationwide debate over something already prepared behind their back.” “If Ukrainian authorities finally see the light and state about launch of a true constitutional process inviting all political forces and regions to involve in it and say, “Let’s each of you state about your interests and we will be seeking for common points on this basis.” Then we will receive a constitution that actually unites and ensures interests of all Ukrainians,” Lavrov said, adding that “This is another matter. But I have suspicions for some reasons that those who had seized power in Kiev do not think about it. They should be informed about no alternative to this approach and so we see a fair nature of protests rolling in south-eastern Ukraine.” Learn more on itar-tass.com