Poroshenko on Donbas de-occupation law: Rada supports strategy of Donbas liberation

Poroshenko expressed gratitude to Ukrainian people's deputies for supporting his bill on Donbas: "This morning the Ukrainian parliament gave almost 280 votes for the law on the reintegration of Donbas. My presidential strategy for the liberation of Donbas has been supported, and I am very grateful to all parliamentarians," he said.

"To me, this is also very important, because it shows that when necessary, our parliament is able to unite and, despite the violent criticism of the law that was allegedly voiced in recent days by the opposition factions, the votes were given in support of this bill," the head of state added.

Read alsoRada passes so-called Donbas reintegration bill (Updated)As UNIAN reported earlier, today, January 18, the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, has passed draft law No. 7163 on special aspects of state policy to ensure Ukraine's state sovereignty in temporarily occupied areas in Donetsk and Luhansk regions (the so-called Donbas reintegration bill). 

280 people's deputies voted for this decision. On January 16 the parliament began consideration of the bill in the second reading. A total of 673 amendments were considered.