Ukraine's Interior Minister Avakov doesn't accept creation of 'people's militia' in LPR/DPR
KYIV. June 10 (Interfax) - Ukraine's Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said that the possible establishment of the so-called people's militia in some areas of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions is unconstitutional.
"The Minsk agreements envisage projects such as 'the people's militia' not reporting to the Ukrainian Interior Ministry. I don't accept this point, and I will never accept it. And no one will make me do it," Avakov said in an interview with Interfax.
The minister emphasized that the creation of 'the people's militia" directly contradicts the Ukrainian Constitution and Ukrainian legislation.
"The police should be Ukrainian, according to Ukrainian laws and unified standards. There will be no special police that doesn't report to anyone. At least it's my position. Maybe the parliament will decide differently, but in that case I will resign," Avakov said.
"As minister I will only do what agrees with my conscience and lies within my powers," he said.
The Ukrainian interior minister spoke positively about the idea of sending an international police mission to Donbas, but said it will only be possible if Ukraine regains control over the part of the state border and if there are no foreign troops on the Ukrainian territory.
"Then a police mission is sent, it has to be international, and it tries to act as an arbiter, prevents clashes. Let's assume it is possible in this difficult situation," Avakov said.
The minister also said he believes that "such a police mission should have some 5,000 members, and it is questionable if it is realistic."
