The Ukrainian parliament is set to ratify an association agreement with the EU, creating closer ties between Ukraine and the bloc. Ukraine has also drafted measures to increase autonomy for disputed eastern territories, reports GHN based on DW.
The ratification Tuesday of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement is certain to receive strong support in Kyiv and Strasbourg. Ukrainian President Poroshenko has called the pact a "de facto" reform program for Ukraine as it creates a free-trade environment with the European Union.
In simultaneous ceremonies, the documents are to be signed in Kyiv and in Strasbourg by Ukrainian and EU officials, respectively.
However, the pact will not be implemented until the end of 2015 due to protests from Russia, a country that also has a free trade agreement with Ukraine but does not have one with the EU. Russian officials fear that the Russian market would be flooded with goods from the EU, and have attempted to insert amendments to the agreement that would prevent this.
Limited self-rule in disputed areas
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian government in Kyiv has proposed a draft bill that would give a limited amount of self-rule to separatist regions in eastern Ukraine. Part of the legislation grants amnesty to those involved in the conflict.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko submitted a draft bill to parliament in Kyiv on Tuesday that outline the implementation of limited self-rule for the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in east Ukraine, which are controlled by pro-Russian separatists. The limited autonomy would be in place for three years.
"During this time we will be able to introduce the issue of profound decentralization which must also provide for respective amendments to the Constitution," Poroshenko said on Monday in a meeting with party leaders.
The bill also calls for local elections in those regions, with a date to be set in November or December.