all pb
>Re-review RED_RED stringer.
>RED1_RED2_
>REDLINEIN THE SAND
>of course deal. read it again. deal.
Ukrainian civil society outlines “red lines” President Zelenskyi can’t cross
byCivic Sector Organizations
23/05/2019
6 minute read
Edited by: Yuri Zoria
In their joint statement, representatives of Ukrainian civil society organizations have assessed the first political steps made by Volodymyr Zelenskyy as President of Ukraine and outlined the “red lines” he shouldn’t cross. Here is the full text of the statement.
Over the past five years, we, the undersigned, members of civil society organizations, have been actively defending Ukraine’s sovereignty and national interests in global information space and counteracting the Russian information war. Each of our organizations works in a specific field to strengthen civil society and help build high-quality state institutions open to ongoing communication and dialog with our citizens, responsible for reforming our country and rendering it more stable and secure in the face of strong threats and challenges.
Our principles and positions remain unchanged. Our mission is to protect the values that Ukrainians fought for during the Revolution of Dignity – freedom and dignity, the independence of Ukraine and protection of Ukrainian statehood, a democratic system of government, patriotism, courage, responsibility, and honesty as the fundamental qualities of all Ukrainian citizens.
We remain politically neutral but are deeply concerned about the first executive decisions taken by the newly-elected President. Unfortunately, they demonstrate a complete lack of understanding of the threats and challenges facing our country. We strongly disagree with the President’s intention to appoint members of former President Viktor Yanukovych’s regime to key government positions, a move that contradicts the principles of lustration, as well as persons without relevant competencies and individuals sharing business interests with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Given the pain and troubles that our country has suffered in the past few years, such short-sighted measures are bound to have adverse effects on society… and the consequences could be devastating.
As civil society activists, we present a list of “red lines not to be crossed.” Should the President cross these red lines, such actions will inevitably lead to political instability in our country and the deterioration of international relations:
Security Issues:
holding a referendum on the format of the negotiations to be used with the Russian Federation and on the principles for a peaceful settlement
conducting separate negotiations – without the participation of Ukraine’s Western partners – with the Russian Federation, members of the occupation authorities and their armed groups and gangs in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts, Crimea and Sevastopol
fulfilling the ultimatum requirements demanded by the aggressor state or achieving a compromise with the Kremlin at the cost of making concessions to the detriment of national interests, national sovereignty, territorial integrity and order, and independent domestic and foreign policies of Ukraine
inhibiting the implementation of security and defense policies outlined in the Strategic Defense Bulletin of Ukraine