Kyiv authorities' promise to hold referendum is a bluff - Mironov
MOSCOW. April 14 (Interfax) - The current Ukrainian authorities are bluffing when promising to hold an all-Ukraine referendum on state configuration, head of the Just Russia faction in the State Duma Sergei Mironov said.
"It is just senseless today to talk about the country's unity by the so-called acting president. Of course, it is a complete bluff and lacks understanding of today's reality, to say that, the May 25 referendum will be granted on the day the presidential elections are held, which are already doubted by all commonsense politicians and not just in Ukraine," Mironov told reporters on Monday.
"Due to this, the Russian stance is quite simple - we support implementing the decisions of February 21, we support holding the referendum, including remote regions of Ukraine, we support that every Ukrainian citizen has the right to live in accordance with the values they believe in," Mironov said.
"If pseudo-authorities in Kyiv try to stop the movement with force, I am absolutely certain that we, Russian citizens, should not stay aside," he said.
When asked what kind of assistance Russians could offer, Mironov said: "Such help is already being provided along various non-governmental organizations and it would be strange if this did not happen."
"This is not state help. Russia does not interfere in Ukraine's domestic affairs," Mironov said.
An all-Ukraine referendum could be held simultaneously with the presidential elections planned for May 25, acting Ukrainian President, Verkhovna Rada Chairman Oleksandr Turchynov said earlier on Monday.
