Honcharenko, after expulsion from "ES", calls on public to demand government steps to end war
Ukrainian MP Oleksii Honcharenko said he had been expelled from the "European Solidarity" faction over his position on the terms for ending Russia's war against Ukraine and explained his own view of the situation.
He said this on social media, Censor.NET reports.
The MP's position
Honcharenko noted that "European Solidarity" had always been, in his words, a sound political force guided by values and committed to a strong army — just as he is. In his view, a strong state today is one that achieves peace and remains on the map rather than in history textbooks.
"I remember being one of the first to start speaking out about abuses by territorial recruitment centers (TCRs). Back then, it was taboo. I was criticized within the faction, smeared by the Presidential Office's lackeys and accused of every sin under the sun. In the end, time showed who was right," Honcharenko said. According to him, he was speaking out alone then, without support, while today everyone is talking about the impunity of TCRs.
"Now, peace. And once again, I am talking about something that, for some reason, people have become afraid even to start discussing," the MP said.
He highlighted the issue of the Black Sea, without which, in his view, Ukraine's economy is "dying." According to him, simply throwing up one's hands and saying that "the Russians don't want to" is not enough: they did not want to in 2022 either, but an agreement to reopen the sea was nevertheless reached.
Appeal to the public
Honcharenko called on the public to demand more from the authorities, including talks with Turkey, Arab countries and India on arrangements for grain trade.
"I want the authorities to feel the heat from public demands to deliver results. I want an engaged public to demand steps toward ending the war. Yes, we need peace. Yes, we need to find a path to it. I am not saying there are easy solutions. There aren't. But I am not saying that seeking peace means surrendering. Surrendering means giving up the search for ways to stop the war," the MP said.
He called on everyone — service members and their families, entrepreneurs and teachers, those who left and those who stayed — to "work together to achieve peace."
"I want us to be a bridge. A place where people develop, build, invest, trade and meet. Bridges are not built in a day. Pillar by pillar. Beam by beam. And always — from both banks," Honcharenko added.
What happened earlier
- On October 2, MP Oleksii Honcharenko advocated starting talks with Russia, with the first step being an agreement to stop strikes on ports, businesses, schools, hospitals, residential areas and bridges. In his view, the parties could then move on to more difficult topics, including Donbas and Ukraine's neutral status. The MP also stressed that Ukraine must seek ways to stop the war.
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, commenting on Honcharenko's statements, said Ukraine could not "bow" to Russia because, in his words, this would lead to Ukraine being broken.
- On October 5, the "European Solidarity" faction decided that it could no longer continue on a shared political path with MP Oleksii Honcharenko.
