Kyiv City administrator Volodymyr Makeenko quit the Party of Regions and pledged allegiance to the people of Ukraine. In a strong-worded statement released on Youtube, he said no power is worth human victims, and called on parliament deputies to "stand as human shields" between two warring sides.
Makeenko was appointed by the president on Jan. 25 to replace Oleksandr Popov, who was accused of being a part of the command chain that gave orders to disperse a peaceful demonstration on Nov. 30. A loyal Party of Regions member until today, Makeenko has been a parliament deputy of all convocations of the Verkhovna Rada.
Below is the full text of his statement.
"I, Volodymyr Makeenko, am addressing you personally, Mr. President, and personally to the leaders of law enforcement structures. The events that took place today in the capital of Ukraine are a tragedy for the whole Ukrainian people.
I am responsibly declaring that I am prepared to do everything possible for stopping the bloodshed and brother-killing in the heart of Ukraine, on Independence Square. Human lives have to be the greatest value in our state and nothing should stand in the way of this principle.
I have taken a decision to quit the ranks of the Party of Regions and take personal responsibility for the vital activity of Kyiv city. This is how my fate turn out that in this difficult time great responsibility is placed on me for every Kyivan. We have to be governed only by the interests of the people, this is the only way to preserve people's lives.
No power is worth human victims. None of the oligarchs have died, none of the politicians died. I, as head of the city administration, am taking care of burying tens of bodies of common people every day. I suggest that every parliament deputy, regardless of their party ticket, has to stand like a human shield between the citizens of Ukraine in uniforms, and the citizens of Ukraine in civil clothes for the sake of stopping military actions and bloodshed.
My highest aim is to preserve the lives of Ukrainians. I will continue to act as head of the city state administration for as long as the people of Ukraine trust me. There is no other way."
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