(VOVworld)- Arsen Avakov, Ukraine’s Interior Minister, said Wednesday that the instability in Ukraine’s eastern region will be resolved within 48 hours and if negotiations fail, Kiev will use force.
At a press conference on the sidelines of a government meeting, Avakov said that there are two options – political settlement through talks or the use of force. Avakov said for those who want a dialogue, Kiev will propose talks and a political solution. But for the minority in favor of conflict, they will receive a forceful answer from the Ukrainian authorities.
The statement was made after a group of separatists occupied government buildings in the eastern city of Lugansk and the southern city of Donetsk and seized a number of hostages. Meanwhile, separatists in Lugansk began to strengthen barricades and prepare petrol bombs in case the government does use force. A spokesperson for the Lugansk’s police denied that the separatists had taken hostages. In Donetsk, protesters still occupy the local administration building.