Ukraine: Yanukovich demands referendum on status of all regions
Deposed president Viktor Yanukovich has called on Friday for a referendum in each of Ukraine’s regions on its status within Ukraine.
Yanukovich believes that such votes should take place instead of the May 25 presidential elections.
Speaking from Russia Yanukovich said:
“As a president who is with you with all my thoughts and soul, I urge every sensible citizen of Ukraine: Don’t give in to impostors! Demand a referendum on the status of each region within Ukraine”
Yanukovich was the last democratically elected president of Ukraine and was ousted from power by a violent uprising. The interim regime with its anti-Russian stance led to the Russian annexing of Crimea after a referendum. The ex-president believes that other regions would too perhaps vote for more independence from Ukraine, some even voting to follow Crimea’s lead and join Russia.
Since the violent protests that saw Yanukovich being deposed many of Ukraine’s eastern and predominantly Russian speaking regions have been worried by the new policies of the Kyiv government.
It seems unlikely that Ukraine will allow votes of the kind Yanukovich suggests to take place and will instead go ahead with national elections in May.
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