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Ukraine’s leader: Rebel areas offered more autonomy but will remain part of country Poroshenko says separatist areas could get greater autonomy, but rebels demand more
(35 minutes later)
MOSCOW — Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said Wednesday that rebel-held areas in eastern Ukraine could be granted greater autonomy, but pro-Russian separatists repeated demands that they be given full independence.MOSCOW — Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said Wednesday that rebel-held areas in eastern Ukraine could be granted greater autonomy, but pro-Russian separatists repeated demands that they be given full independence.
In remarks to his cabinet in Ukraine’s capital, Kiev, Poroshenko stressed that pro-Russian rebels must consider political compromises as the next step after a tenuous cease-fire took effect Friday. In remarks to his cabinet in Ukraine’s capital, Kiev, Poroshenko stressed that the rebels must consider political compromises as the next step after a tenuous cease-fire that took effect Friday.
The “fate of peace” depends on it, Poroshenko said. He said he would introduce legislation next week on the status of the rebel-held regions to give them more local power, although he offered few details. The “fate of peace” depends on it, Poroshenko said. He said he will introduce legislation next week on the status of the rebel-held regions to give them more local power, although he offered few details.
The prospect of handing over any amount of control to the rebels is deeply unpopular among many of Poroshenko’s pro-European allies even though it appears to be the main condition of the cease-fire deal.The prospect of handing over any amount of control to the rebels is deeply unpopular among many of Poroshenko’s pro-European allies even though it appears to be the main condition of the cease-fire deal.
He asked the cabinet to help preserve the peace in eastern Ukraine.He asked the cabinet to help preserve the peace in eastern Ukraine.
“Perhaps we will not be happy with the composition of local deputies elected by residents of Luhansk and Donetsk in early elections to municipal and district councils. But isn’t it better to administer policy through ballots instead of automatic gunfire and Grad volleys?” he said, referring to the truck-mounted Grad multiple rocket systems that both sides have used to inflict devastation. “Perhaps we will not be happy with the composition of local deputies elected by residents of Luhansk and Donetsk in early elections to municipal and district councils. But isn’t it better to administer policy through ballots instead of automatic gunfire and Grad volleys?” he said, referring to the truck-mounted multiple-rocket systems that both sides have used to inflict devastation.
The cease-fire, meanwhile, appeared largely to hold despite sporadic clashes. Poroshenko said Russia had pulled back about 70 percent of the troops who Ukraine and Western allies claimed had crossed the border. Russia has denied sending troops into Ukraine. The cease-fire, meanwhile, appeared largely to hold despite sporadic clashes. Poroshenko said Russia had pulled back about 70 percent of the troops who Ukraine and Western allies said had crossed the border. It was not possible to confirm his claim. Russia has denied sending troops into Ukraine.
In Berlin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged European Union partners to quickly impose new sanctions against Russia for its role in the Ukraine crisis. The potential economic measures have been on hold as the E.U. assessed the cease-fire. The bloc appear poised to go forward with sanctions as early as Thursday. In Berlin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged European Union partners to quickly impose new sanctions on Russia for its role in the Ukraine crisis. The potential economic measures have been on hold as the European Union assesses the cease-fire. The bloc appears poised to go forward with sanctions as soon as Thursday.
Separatists on Wednesday repeated their demands for full independence, and both sides appeared to doubt the endurance of the truce.Separatists on Wednesday repeated their demands for full independence, and both sides appeared to doubt the endurance of the truce.
“We fully and absolutely insist on our republic’s independence within the boundaries of the Donetsk region,” a top rebel leader, Andrei Purgin, told the Interfax news service. “We fully and absolutely insist on our republic’s independence within the boundaries of the Donetsk region,” Andrei Purgin, a top rebel leader, told the Interfax news service.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, said in Moscow that Russia would defend itself against threats, including NATO’s bolstered presence near Russia’s borders. Russian President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, said in Moscow that Russia will defend itself against threats, including NATO’s bolstered presence near the country’s borders.
The Kremlin will “take adequate response measures to ensure our security,” he said at a meeting of his security advisers.The Kremlin will “take adequate response measures to ensure our security,” he said at a meeting of his security advisers.
Deane reported from Rome.Deane reported from Rome.