Poroshenko submits to Rada two bills to resolve Donbas warfare

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko submitted two
bills to parliament on Oct. 4 to resolve the ongoing warfare on the occupied
territories of Donbas. The first bill, commonly referred to as the law on
reintegrating Donbas, has a wide scope that includes establishing the legal
terminology for the war in Donbas, creating the legal framework for a new means
of warfare and setting new conditions for the special status of the occupied
territories of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The law has many critics who allege
it widens the president’s authority in violation of the Constitution.

The second bill, “On creating the necessary conditions
for a peaceful resolution to the situation in certain district of the Donetsk
and Luhansk regions,” extends the conditions of the current “special order” law
for another year after it expires on Oct. 18. Its critics still oppose
introducing norms that legalize the Minsk Accords, including granting amnesty
to those who were involved in the violent uprisings in Donbas.

Western officials, including German Chancellor Merkel,
have urged the Ukrainian government
to approve some legislation by the Oct. 18
expiration date. The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv tweeted on Oct. 4 that it supports
the law extending the special order. Failure to approve legislation in time
could be exploited by Russia as Ukraine’s exit from the Minsk peace process,
which carries with it the loss of sanctions, Western authorities reportedly
informed the Presidential Administration.

Zenon Zawada: The second bill, extending the current special order, is likely to get
parliamentary approval. The bill on reintegrating Donbas will face fierce
opposition and could sharply exacerbate rifts among Ukraine’s pro-Western
forces, particularly if the president manages to force it through parliament.
The voting for it reportedly precludes any amendments.