Even though the draft resolution “On ensuring peace and stability in the East of Ukraine” did not find support in the parliament, the OPPOSITION BLOC will continue to offer ways of peaceful settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine. This opinion was expressed by MP Serhiy Lovochkin, the founder of the New Ukraine Foundation.

“Peace is the top priority for Ukraine, the top priority of our political force and it should be the top priority of all Ukrainian policy makers. Therefore, we believe that even if our plan today did not get enough votes in the parliament, it is getting votes in the hearts of Ukrainians. Ukrainians stand for peace. And we, as the OPPOSITION BLOC will fight for this with all possible means and resources,” Serhiy Lovochkin said.

According to him, the coalition today does not offer an effective peace plan and refuses to discuss the peace plan of the opposition. “The rejection of a dialogue with the opposition, which represents half a million Ukrainian citizens, is a political impasse. You cannot seek to bring together Ukrainian lands and Ukrainian citizens, while ignoring the thoughts and ideas of people’s deputies representing eastern Ukraine,” Serhiy Lovochkin pointed out.

He stressed that the first objective of the peace plan of the opposition is to secure the life support of the regions. “We need to give people what they need - pensions, social benefits, allow them to leave the combat area if necessary, that is to protect people socially and physically,” the politician said.

He stressed that one also has to begin direct talks with all parties to the conflict, which could help to achieve peace as soon as possible.

The MP also expressed confidence that there was no military solution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine, because the area was home to several million Ukrainian citizens.