The mayor of Kharkiv Hennady Kernes is sure that the vast majority of Kharkiv residents will support Ukrainian statehood, he said in an interview with the publication “Komersant-Ukraine.”

“Our people consider themselves citizens of Ukraine. In eastern Ukraine they consider Russia a fellow nation. From time immemorial we have been linked by family ties and trade relations, especially in Kharkiv — a border city. But I am confident that the vast majority here, including Ukrainians, will advocate for Ukrainian statehood.”