Published December 02, 2015
Ukraine's parliament has made the first step toward devolving more powers to separatist-controlled areas in eastern Ukraine.
The conflict between Russia-backed rebels and Ukrainian government troops has killed more than 6,400 people since fighting there began in April last year.
An armistice signed in February calls for a political resolution in the region including a constitutional reform that will give all Ukrainian regions — and the east specifically — more powers.
Presenting the bill on Thursday, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko insisted that the changes he is proposing would not turn Ukraine into a federation, which the rebels originally sought. He says that along with giving more powers to local authorities throughout the country, the bill allows broader autonomy in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
https://www.foxnews.com/world/ukraine-inches-closer-to-long-anticipated-reform-to-give-more-powers-to-the-regions