Ukraine passes bill on war-torn eastern regions

January 20, 2018

On Thursday, the Ukrainian passed a new bill called the "Donbass reintegration law". It describes the regions — — of  and  as being "temporarily occupied" by Russia and declares Russia to be the "aggressor".

The bill calls for a return of the regions to Ukrainian control by military force if necessary. There is no mention of the February 2015 which was signed by the Ukrainian government and rebel groups, and brokered by France and Germany.

Ukrainian President stated on,  Former Prime Minister  said this forms a legal basis for a  peacekeeping force to "remove the Russian army from Ukrainian territory". Legislator commented on why the Minsk agreement was not mentioned in the bill: "We can't embed diplomatic and political agreements that are prone to change into the Ukrainian legislation".

Russia's foreign ministry quickly denounced the law and claimed it was proof Ukraine is preparing for a new war. Furthermore, the law "risked a dangerous escalation in Ukraine with unpredictable consequences for world peace and security", the official statement said.

"Kiev has gone from sabotaging the Minsk agreements to burying them," said, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee for the in Russia. , leader of one of the rebel groups in eastern Ukraine, also expressed sharp criticism. Zakharchenko said it was a violation of the Minsk agreement and could lead to an escalation of the armed conflict.

Fighting in eastern Ukraine began shortly after Russia annexed in 2014 and has by reports claimed over 10,000 lives. About 1.7 million people,  reports, have been displaced from their homes due to the fighting.