Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said that Ukraine would not abandon territories of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts that are not under control of Ukrainian authorities.
“Only one argument is left [with opponents of the constitutional reform in part of decentralization]. This Article 18 of transitional provisions which concern the special status of local self-government of some districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions which are occupied now and where there is no Ukrainian authorities,” Poroshenko said at a meeting with representatives of territorial communities in Kyiv on Aug. 29.
The head of state said that Ukraine would not abandon the occupied territories of Donbas.
“Someone proposes: let’s give this to someone, let’s give Ukrainian land, Ukrainian citizens and live without them. I don’t accept this and would never accept this. I was elected by people to respect Ukraine’s integrity, and I would do my best to return this land to Ukraine,” Poroshenko said.