You're reading: Poroshenko won’t pressure parliament on decentralization

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said that he won't pressure the Verkhovna Rada regarding decentralization-related amendments to the Constitution.

“I will not pressure the parliament in any way, nor am I going to do so. It’s a responsible decision by responsible political forces,” Poroshenko said in an interview on Ukrainian TV on Sept. 13.

“We will have 300 votes [needed to adopt the bill on amendments to the Constitution at second reading], if there’s peace, the implementation of the Minsk accords, then everything is good. I have no doubts,” Poroshenko said.

He said that if the country enters into a state of war martial law will be declared which will prevent amendments being made to the Constitution.

Poroshenko added that there is no alternative to the decentralization amendments.