"European Solidarity" halts political cooperation with MP Honcharenko

The "European Solidarity" faction stated that it can no longer continue a joint political path with Member of Parliament Oleksiy Honcharenko. The political force cited fundamental ideological differences that emerged after the MP's public statements about possible ways to end the war and Ukraine's future security system.

This is stated in a statement by "European Solidarity", released on October 5.

The faction emphasized that it allows internal discussions, different views, and sharp debates, but draws a line between disagreements over political tactics and disputes over the basic values and strategic course of the state.

Among such principles, "ES" included a strong Ukrainian army, the Ukrainian language, an independent Ukrainian church, as well as Ukraine's course towards joining the European Union and NATO. The political force stated that these issues cannot be subject to political bargaining either domestically or during possible negotiations with Russia.

It is against this background, according to the faction, that the conflict with Honcharenko arose. The statement explicitly says that his public positions on ending the war and the future security architecture of Ukraine "diverged from the position of "European Solidarity" and its ideological foundations".

"That is why the "European Solidarity" faction - we have decided that now we cannot continue a joint political path due to ideological differences", — the political force's statement reads.

At the same time, "ES" emphasized that the decision does not negate previous years of joint work with the MP. However, according to the faction, party unity cannot be merely formal if politicians have fundamentally different visions of the state's future.

The conflict was preceded by Honcharenko's public proposals for a phased end to the war. The MP, in particular, proposed negotiating with Russia "step by step", starting with agreements on stopping certain types of strikes and gradually reducing the intensity of hostilities.

Among the ideas he published was also sending a signal to Russia about readiness to discuss Ukraine's neutral status regarding NATO. In addition, the MP allowed agreements on language and religious issues and ultimately proposed stopping hostilities on the actual front line without its legal recognition as a new border.

Honcharenko's proposals sparked a wide public discussion. Against this backdrop, on October 2, the "European Solidarity" faction adopted a separate statement in which it unanimously reaffirmed the principle "Army. Language. Faith" and the immutability of Ukraine's strategic course towards European integration and building a strong security system.

In that statement, the faction advocated for an unconditional and comprehensive ceasefire in the air, on land, and at sea as a first step towards negotiations. At the same time, "ES" emphasized that a ceasefire alone does not mean lasting peace, and that the Armed Forces remain a key guarantee of Ukraine's security until reliable international mechanisms appear.

In the new statement of October 5, "European Solidarity" also placed responsibility for the official negotiating position and diplomatic strategy of Ukraine on the current government, which has a parliamentary majority and relevant powers. At the same time, the faction acknowledged that the discussion caused by Honcharenko's proposals showed the need for a public debate on what a realistic path to ceasefire and peace should be.

Based on materials from: "European Solidarity", Radio Svoboda, Babel.