Now is not the time for a referendum on the status of Crimea and Donbas. This is impossible during martial law and even organizationally, but the President definitely will discuss with the people all fateful decisions for our country. This was stated in an interview with LB.ua by the First Deputy Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Kornienko.
"I did not see any inappropriate idea in the president's statement in one of his interviews ... In my opinion, the President said a very simple thing. He definitely will discuss with the people any big and fateful decision for our country. In what forms will it be, what will be the format, what will be the possibilities at that time? All this is just a question at the moment. The President assumed it might be a referendum”, he said.
The First Deputy Chairman reminded us that during martial law the referendum is not allowed by the Constitution and current legislation.
“As well as the elections. On the other hand, we understand that no one will take them under the barrels of machine guns. If russian troops are still on the territory of Ukraine. I think, now it’s not time for this to discuss. I have not doubt that we will discuss all this, but no one will hold any referendums tomorrow. It is impossible even organizationally", he assured.
Korniyenko predicts that democracy in Ukraine will be preserved after the victory.
“It's already part of our genetic code, our life, and our existence. In such difficult conditions, we maintain the ability to argue, dialogue, find constructive and common positions within the country. This applies to both citizens, which we see on social networks and on the streets, and politicians. Democracy will be preserved. This is one of the reasons for the war with Russia. We are fighting against authoritarianism, russian fascism. Ukrainians have shown themselves as a nation with an open and inclusive system", said the first deputy chairman. He also has not doubt that there will be a variety of political parties in Ukraine after the war.
"Although as a result of our victory I do not discard this wouldn’t lead to the disappearance of the vector of division into geopolitical courses.
«Хоча в результаті нашої перемоги не виключаю, що це призведе до зникнення вектора поділу на геополітичні курси. Because before that we always had an axis: are you for Ukraine and Europe or for Russia, the Customs Union, and so on? This axis and dividing of the political landscape are likely to disappear. The economic axis and the plan for the country's development may replace it”, Kornienko said.
We remind, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview with russian journalists declared that consolidation of the neutral status of Ukraine is possible after a referendum, however it can take place only after the withdrawal of the russian troops from the territory of Ukraine.