The statement says that “the current situation in Ukraine signals of attempts by some politicians, representatives of local governments, leaders of NGOs and radical individuals to create a foundation for the escalation of civil conflict, the spreading of autonomist and separatist sentiments in the population which may result in the end of the existence of our state as a unitary state and the loss of state sovereignty.”
“Some MPs of different levels have engaged in separatist talks with representatives of foreign states. Open consultations are taking place on a possible divide of the country into several parts in violation of the procedure established by the Constitution of Ukraine,” the SBU claims adding that this may result in the escalating standoff between different groups of the population, incite ethnic or religious animosity and lead to a military conflict.
“Therefore, the Security Service of Ukraine will apply tough measures to stop threats to territorial integrity of Ukraine and hold all people engaged in this liable,” the SBU stated.
Earlier, Volodymyr Konstantynov, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Crimea, said during a visit to Moscow on February 20 that the Crimea could separate from Ukraine if the government in Kyiv is replaced. In his interview to the Russian journalists he said that the Crimean Verkhovna Rada would only follow its own decisions and will be “forced” to cancel the 1954 decision whereby the Crimean Oblast was transferred from Russia to Ukraine.
On February 4, the Crimean Parliament presidium raised an issue of preparing documents to set up a working group to amend the Constitution of Crimea and hold the pan-Crimean survey on Crimea’s status as well as a possible request for “protection” to Russia.
