Ostap Semerak : Pope is deeply cognizant of political processes in Ukraine

Pope Francis is well aware of the situation in Ukraine and is deeply cognizant of political processes and issues in our country, Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers Ostap Semerak told Italian journalists during a visit to Rome of the Ukrainian delegation headed by Ukrainian PM Arseniy Yatsenyuk on April 26.

Responding to questions from the press, Ostap Semerak noted that the situation in the East of Ukraine is "complex and unpredictable." "We have evidence that Russian armed special forces are involved in it. They run terrorists and separatists. The government has to spend a lot of effort and money to resolve the situation created by our northern neighbor, rather than to focus exclusively on economic issues. Putin and his team make us not spend money on social programs but on the fight against terrorism," said the Minister.

He also spoke about formation of the National Guard and measures taken to strengthen the country's defense.

Responding to questions concerning the election campaign, Ostap Semerak said that the legitimacy of these elections cannot be challenged, taking into account the fact that representatives from all parliamentary political parties, including the party of former president Yanukovych, have nominated their candidates for the presidency. However, no official is involved in the campaign and has any effect on it. According to the Minister, the Russian government does not want Ukraine has a legitimate president, "but we will make every effort to hold elections and have a democratically elected head of the state."

Answering a question from an Italian journalist about what will become Ukraine - a bridge or a wall between Europe and the East, - Ostap Semerak replied: "Ukraine is neither a bridge nor a wall, but a part of the European family. Putin really wants to build a new "Berlin Wall" - probably somewhere in the middle of Ukraine - but with the support of the entire world Ukraine will be able to stop him. What is happening now is the beginning of a global conflict, not a regional issue between two countries.