Odalys Buscarón Ochoa

The new Ukrainian President, Piotr Poroshenko, swore an oath to the unity of a divided country, a country at war, with some inhabitants subjected to bombings and persecution by a government supported by the West.

New Ukrainian President Piotr Poroshenko has little to no support in the eastern, largely Russian-speaking part of the country. Photo: RT

Poroshenko has occupied various government positions and was one of the oligarchs who financed the anti-governmental rebellion in Kiev which led to a coup d'état, and the ousting of legitimate President Víktor Yanuókovich, last February.

Poroshenko ran as an independent candidate, but made evident his preference for the road taken by the coup junta, in close collaboration with the United States, and the complicity of fascist sectors. He has not distanced himself from the government's violent response to discontent and rebellion in eastern regions which favor federalization.

The popular mayor of Slavyansk, in the north of Donetsk, Vyacheslav Ponomariov, considers Poroshenko a man prone to lying, who should not be believed or trusted. Ponomariov responded to the new President's promise to promote a dialogue with "peaceful representatives in Donbass," by saying he has nothing to discuss, adding that expectations of the millionaire Poroshenko are low in this region. According to Forbes magazine, the President chocolate magnate's fortune is close to 1.3 billion dollars.

In the Popular Republic of Donetsk, Prime Minister Alexender Borodai told the press that Poroshenko "is the president of another state and his pronouncements about the future of a united Ukraine, and Ukrainian as the only official language" are of no interest in Donetsk.

He recalled that on May 11, with overwhelming support for independence expressed in a referendum, the Popular Republic became a sovereign state.

Kiev, like the United States and European Union, does not recognize the votes in Donetsk or Lugansk, which indicated more than 90% majority support for independence. The central government is likewise reticent to consider federalization as a solution to the conflict.

Leaders of the rebel regions insist that any negotiations must be preceded by an end to combat operations and the withdrawal from their territory of regular armed forces, as well as repressive commando units.

Upon claiming victory in the Presidential elections, Poroshenko called on military leaders to "clean" the regions demanding independence, before his inauguration June 7.

The mayor of Slavyansk responded that the city would not be handed over to anyone, saying that the land is theirs, that they have a way of life with orthodox beliefs, like those of their ancestors, "The people must feel free."

Deputy Oleg Tsariov from the southeastern region does not believe the new President has the authority to dialogue with residents of the East.

Tsariov commented to Russia 24 that Saturday, June 7 dawned with bombing and attacks in Slavyansk, yet in Poroshenko's first speech as head of state, he said nothing, gave no order to halt the operation.

Tsariov, who is being pursued by the Kiev regime and denied parliamentary immunity by the new legislative majority, emphasized that Poroshenko is now legally responsible for the consequences of military-police operations begun by the previous government in April. He should condemn these actions as criminal and investigate them, Tsariov said. Only under these conditions, can discussion about a possible dialogue be considered, according to the deputy.

In a recent interview with the Russian newspaper Izvestia, Tsariov said that his condemnations of the fascist coup plotters irritated the powers that be. They have burned both his home and office, and are looking to arrest him, in violation of his status as an elected deputy, he said.

Tsariov expressed the opinion that the current government has lost its authority and faced with impotence is attempting desperate measures. He does not believe that Poroshenko will remain in power long.

The new President's statements were not well-received in Lugansk either.

The President of this Popular Republic, Valeri Bólotov, told the Russian News Service that Poroshenko's promises are not taken seriously by local leaders or residents subjected to repeated bombings.