KIEV, June 23 (RIA Novosti) – A detailed plan B elaborated by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko as an alternative to his peace plan for the conflict in the country’s east details the possible continuation of military action against independence supporters, Presidential Aide Yuriy Lutsenko said Monday.
“Those who violate the truce will get an armed response. There is no doubt about that. If Donbas refuses to shake the hand offered by the Ukrainian government, [we] will be forced to use the kind of language they want to hear,” Lutsenko was quoted as saying by Ukraine’s national news agency Ukrinform.
According to Lutsenko, the alternative plan also stipulates the reconstruction of Donbas, the restive eastern region of Ukraine covering the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
“Europe is already ready to give us its helping hand. We want to create new jobs, open new commercially viable enterprises. Let us all do this together. A gun won’t fix anything,” Lutsenko elaborated.
Last Friday, President Poroshenko outlined a peace plan to defuse the crisis in the country, promising amnesty for all independence defense forces not involved in grave crimes and willing to lay down their arms. Poroshenko also unilaterally ordered a temporary ceasefire between the government-backed forces and independence supporters in the east.
Local independence defense forces, however, refuse to believe Poroshenko’s promises, and say they are ready to continue fighting.
Earlier on Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin in a telephone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande, welcomed the peace plan unveiled by the Ukrainian leader, but stressed that a real ceasefire should now follow the announcement.
