Ukraine Foreign Minister: We will fight for our land
Not likely Russia will give up Crimea: Pro
Discussing Crimea's referendum, with Boyden Gray, Boyden Gray & Associates founding partner; Paula Dobriansky, former Under Secretary of State; and Robert Hormats, Kissinger Associates vice chairman.
"We are capable of solving the internal problem without a Russian invasion," he added. "We don't need to protect the Russian speaking population with the Russian military here. We are wise enough to talk to our people who speak Russian and we are able to live with them in peace here."
Following recent comments from U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry about self-determination in the region, Deschcytsya said that there is a right for autonomy in Crimea.
"We are ready to discuss with Crimeans their needs, in the framework of this autonomy. We are ready to discuss an expansion of their autonomy if they are not satisfied with the economic development, the rights of national minorities, the local governments, but we wanted to do it peacefully again, in a way of dialogue, but not with the military threat from the neighboring country," he said.
(Read more: Russia has 'no plans to invade Ukraine': Lavrov)
Regarding Ukraine's move toward an economic association with the EU, he noted that while progress has been quick the needs of Ukraine's enterprises and people remain key.
"Economically the EU is already deciding to open its market to Ukrainian goods. But we will also continue our negotiations about a free trade agreement with the EU, but need to take into account the real needs of Ukrainian enterprises and people why are working in eastern Ukrainian, particularly for big Ukrainian enterprises so they are not affected by free trade with the EU," he said.
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