Parliament Recognizes Part of the Donbass as Occupied
The Verkhovna Rada has recognized part of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions as occupied territories.
According to Ukrayinska Pravda, 286 deputies voted in favor of this decision.
The resolution was prepared by five factions in the coalition and was read out by Chairman Volodymyr Groysman.
“The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine recognizes individual districts, cities, towns, and villages in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions as temporarily occupied territories. According to the Law “On the temporary Order of Local Self-Governance in Particular Districts of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts,” a special regime of self-government is established in these territories until the withdrawal of all illegal armed groups, their military equipment, as well as militants and mercenaries, from the territory of Ukraine and the restoration of full Ukrainian control over its state borders,” read Groysman.
After that, party leaders Oleh Lyashko (Radical Party) and Oleh Berezyuk (Samopomich/Self-Reliance) made an amendment to mention the withdrawal of Russian troops in the text. With this amendment, Groysman put the resolution to the vote.
The Verkhovna Rada also adopted amendments to the law on the special self-government in certain regions of the Donbass concerning local elections. The law will take effect when local self-governments receive their powers.
In addition, the deputies voted for a resolution to approve an appeal on behalf of Ukraine to the UN Security Council and the Council of the European Union on the deployment of an international operation on peacekeeping and security in Ukraine.
