Tymoshenko proposes Poroshenko engage in public debates

Presidential candidate and leader of Batkivschyna Party Yulia Tymoshenko has proposed that her rival presidential candidate Petro Poroshenko to conduct public debates.

"It seems to me that the debates between me and Petro Poroshenko surely should be held, since people must elect consciously. That's why I'm appealing to Petro Oleksiyovych and propose that he conduct public debates at any time, in any place and under any rules," reads the statement from Tymoshenko posted on Batkivschyna Web site on Monday.

She said she is even ready to conduct these debates at Channel Five, "which belongs to him [Poroshenko]."

The party leader stressed that she would definitely participate in the debates between the presidential candidates at First National Channel on the results of the recent draw.

As reported, in the frames of the National Debates Project at First National TV channel, presidential candidate Yulia Tymoshenko will hold debates on May 23 with Sergiy Tigipko and Valeriy Konovaliuk; Petro Poroshenko – with Vasyl Tsushko and Zorian Shkiriak on May 10.

The first debates will launch on May 9 between Anatoliy Hrytsenko, Olha Bohomolets and Oleksandr Klymenko. On May 11, the channel will show debates between Oleh Tiahnybok, Volodymyr Saranov and Andriy Hrinenko. Yuriy Boiko, Petro Symonenko and Natalia Korolevska will meet on May 16.

Besides, Right Sector leader Dmytro Yarosh on May 17 will debate with Vadym Rabinovych and Vasyl Kuibida.

Earlier all 23 presidential candidates in Ukraine confirmed their participation in the debates at First National TV Channel. Later on two candidates – Mykhailo Dobkin and Oleh Tsariov – set their conditions that contradict the rules of the National Television Company of Ukraine regarding ensuring of the equal opportunities for all candidates. As a result, just 21 candidates will participate in the television debates.