We fight for our independence, not for autonomy, the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic Alexander Zakharchenko has told the LifeNews today.
“For me, personally, the future of the Donetsk People’s Republic is a free and independent state that would be on an equal footing with Ukraine. And any processes that take place here should satisfy the spirit of independence…Our friends, our compatriots are fighting for it. Our wives, children, old people have died for it. The blood shed by our compatriots for it…it is impossible to forget. I’m not even considering talking with Ukraine about “self-proclaimed autonomous areas”. What kind of relationship we should build with other countries and with the Russian Federation, it’s up to people. Russia is our friend, our brother, our neighbor. We will see what happens next. But we won’t talk with Ukraine about any autonomy. It’s my wish, it’s my idea. People have supported it by choosing me, and I cannot give it up,” – Alexander Zakharchenko said.