EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule has expressed support for all defenders of Ukraine's sovereignty and asked the Ukrainian authorities to not lose contact with the people in eastern Ukraine and treat them with understanding, reports GHN based on Ukrinform.
He said this during an informal opening of the 11th YES Annual Meeting in Kyiv.
"Let me also want to use this opportunity to send a strong message of support to the people in eastern Ukraine who have suffered so much during the conflict. No matter where you are, be it in Kharkiv, Mariupol, or Donetsk, our thoughts are with you and all those defending the integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. I also strongly encourage the Ukrainian authorities not to lose contact with the people of eastern Ukraine, many of whom are fearful and anxious to know what is happening.... They need your understanding of their suffering and reassurance that there is no need to make such a choice," Fule said. He said that "Maidan has never been about dividing the country but about uniting people in their aspiration for a better life."
The commissioner also said that the EU did not run the Revolution of Dignity in Ukraine, but the European community is ready to support the Ukrainian people.
"We in the European Union do not run revolutions. We have neither the intention nor the capacity. But we have strong political will and powerful instruments to help people to deliver on their expectations and make sure that the ideals of revolution are not stolen. Regardless of how many difficulties lie ahead of us, I am sure the values Maidan has fought for will prevail and Maidan itself will be remembered as one of Europe's defining moments," Fule said.