Daily Mail
April 18, 2014
The leader of pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine has issued a bizarre appeal for British help via UKIP leader Nigel Farage.
Denis Pushilin, head of the self-declared ‘Donetsk people’s republic’, sent his plea as Ukrainian forces arrived to crush an uprising against the country’s new, pro-EU government.
In an email he told Mr Farage that Donetsk was founded by a British engineer and businessman John Hughes in 1870, after he was granted a concession by the Russian government under tsar Alexander II.
‘We are appealing not just to fellow Russians, but to the people of Britain,’ said Mr Pushilin.
‘We believe that Britons, like Russians, are not “of Europe” – as Winston Churchill put it – and will not be “with” Ukrainian ultra-nationalists, the EU, US and NATO in repressing our identity, our right to speak Russian and our desire to be with Russia as well as to celebrate our historical Russo-British heritage.
‘On behalf of the overwhelming majority of the people of Donetsk, we are asking for your support for a referendum on the independence of Donetsk Region.
‘We believe that UKIP represents the spirit of the British people more than any other party, and are issuing a “Mayday” distress signal.
‘The danger of our potential extermination by the Kiev “authorities” is hanging over us and anybody, who holds the same views, like a sword of Damocles.’
The breakaway leader – who has strong support in Russia – declared: ‘We are hoping that you and the people of Britain will respond to our appeal and help Donetsk to defend the right to keep its own identity and our lives, which are endangered by the new “government” in Kiev.
‘Please stand up for us, like the statue of John Hughes in the centre of our city, a testament to our special relationship, which doesn’t have to be a thing of the past. Let us all have a future.’