Ladies and gentlemen,

• This was a really long weekend – in all senses.
• It was marked by Odessa tragedy.
• Ukraine will do its utmost to hold an unbiased investigation.
• The Ministry of Interior has already stated that any kind of help in investigating the events would be welcome and highly appreciated.
• As I am informed, our law enforcement officials have already invited competent foreign specialists to assist in investigation.
• The real perpetrators should be brought to justice.
• This tragedy would have never been possible without Russia meddling in our affairs and exploiting Ukraine’s domestic division lines.
• It is a part of their plan to disrupt Ukraine.
• But their plan is destined to fail. Separatism and terrorism will never rule in this country.
• The good news is that after a week of terrified waiting the OSCE inspectors were freed.
• It’s was a result of coordinated plan and efforts of Ukrainian authorities, OSCE Mission and international mediators.
• That’s a clear example how the Geneva agreements should be implemented if there is a strong political will.
• Geneva process should continue. Ukraine fulfills its part of obligations. Protesters vacate public buildings.
• It is essential that independent mediators assess efforts of parties in fulfillment of the agreement.  
• If the next Geneva round is to be held, we need to be very clear about its goals.
• A successful May 25^th election should be one of them. It’s instrumental to stabilizing the situation.
• I have no doubt that the elections will be conducted in such a manner so that preserve security of voters, observers and election officials.
• Long-term observers are already on the ground, with short-time teams arriving in the nearest future.
• Dialogue with all regions of Ukraine is underway and must be reinforced.
• Official Kyiv confirmed several times that it is ready to discuss the future model of local government.
• However, we will not engage in conversations with terrorists.
• We call upon our civil society to contribute to the process of national dialogue and to consider initiating a forum of national unity – with participation of public opinion leaders, representatives of different confessions and national communities, local elites, business and academia.
• Prime Minister visited Donetsk and Odessa to demonstrate (among other things) that the Cabinet is accessible to Ukrainians in all regions and in full control of situation.    
• Among other issues in focus of our attention this week – Minister Deschytsia participates in the Council of Europe ministerial in Vienna.
• Situation in and around Ukraine will be part of a wider discussion on human rights, rule of law and current political shifts in Europe.
• Developments in and around Ukraine will be on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union on May 12.
• On May 13 Prime Minister Yatsenyuk and the members of the Cabinet will hold joint meeting with the European Commission in Brussels.
• Tomorrow Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman arrives in Ukraine with aim to promote stronger involvement of the Organization in de-escalation of the situation around Ukraine.
• Ukraine welcomes the IMF approval of $ 17 billion package as two-year Stand-By Arrangement for our country. This decision is a result of trust in Ukraine’s reform plan and determination of the Government to bring about real change.   

I thank you.