DONETSK, Ukraine
Former Ukrainian Prime Minister and presidential candidate Yulia Tymoshenko has arrived in the east Ukrainian city of Donetsk on what she says is a mission to hear the demands of pro-Russian protesters occupying government buildings in the city.
The protesters - who have taken up position in buildings in many eastern cities since April 6 - have been demanding a Crimean-style referendum and calling on the interim authorities in Kiev to step down.
"I've arrived here to figure out what are the exact demands of these people and whom they represent ... I am also here to see if the demands of pro-Russian protesters mesh with the locals living in Donetsk," Tymoshenko told a press conference on Friday.
Stating that she was opposed to a referendum, Tymoshenko said that they had created an armed-group which would act alongside the Ukranian army against any "threats".
The Ukrainian presidential candidate also underlined the importance of all sides complying with the deal agreed in Geneva on Thursday between Ukraine, the U.S., the European Union and Russia in order to calm tension.
Russia and Ukraine agreed at the talks that illegal military groups in Ukraine must leave official buildings and that there should be an amnesty for anti-government protesters.
The Geneva talks came after weeks of conflict in Ukraine after its former leader Viktor Yanukovych fled to Russia in February and Russia annexed Crimea in March following a referendum.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's interim authorities have promised to meet some of the demands of pro-Russian protesters in the east of the country and appealed for national unity.
englishnews@aa.com.tr
