Ukraine's ambassador in Ireland has sided with the opposition in his country, which claims there was massive fraud in last Sunday's election.
"I stand with my people. I support the Ukrainian people and I share their concerns," Mr Yevhen Perelygin declared yesterday.
"I am a human being. I have my soul and my heart and they are in Kiev with my parents and my friends, who are on the streets of the main square with the majority of Ukrainian people."
Mr Perelygin described the crisis as a "watershed between the past and the future". People were choosing a democratic and European path rather than going back to the heritage of the Soviet Union. "I'm not for or against any candidate in the election, but I will always be for a democratic solution."
Mr Perelygin described the election, which prime minister Mr Viktor Yanukovich claims to have won, as "stolen". "The people were defrauded by someone. Someone is trying to steal my choice."
He said his parents in Kiev were "very worried" at events there but expressed confidence that a peaceful, negotiated settlement would be found to the crisis.
There was no division in Ukraine over language or religion, he said, although some people had a "nostalgia" for the Soviet era. "However, there is no alternative now to following European norms and standards in public life."
The Ukrainian embassy in Ballsbridge has been flooded with e-mails from Irish people concerned at events in Kiev, according to the ambassador. "When I came here eight months ago as Ukraine's first resident ambassador, people knew very little about my country, except to say it used to be in the USSR. Now Irish people will be much clearer and will know we are a European, democratic nation."
Earlier this week, Ukrainians living in Ireland protested outside the embassy. "They asked me to speak to them, and I did. They started with accusation, but we finished in agreement. Afterwards, I was sent a big bouquet of roses."
Mr Perelygin says he doesn't fear being recalled to Kiev over his stance. "I will do my job representing Ukraine and if someone decides I should go back, I will. However, I'm sure the ministry of foreign affairs will not give me such an instruction. Their instructions so far have been very honest."
Earlier this week, the Government conveyed it views on the elections to Mr Perelygin, who also attended a Dáil debate on the issue on Thursday.
About 3,500 work permits were issued to Ukrainians last year; with dependants and other immigrant categories, the embassy believes the community here may be as large as 9,000.
Asked if he thought Ukraine could split in two as a result of the turmoil, Mr Perelygin replied: "No, never. My country will be as one after this, united and stronger than before."
