Ukraine mulls referendum on status for eastern regions

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said Friday that Kiev is ready to hold a nationwide referendum on the future status of the country's conflict-torn eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions, known locally as Donbas.

"I am ready to ensure the free expression of the will of citizens to give the opportunity for all Ukrainians to express their view on the future of Donbas," Poroshenko told reporters during a press conference.

The referendum will decide on the issues related to the self-rule of Donbas within Ukraine, he said, ruling out a possibility of holding a vote on the region's independence.

"As a guarantor of Ukraine's territorial integrity, I will never allow the referendum on Donbas secession," Poroshenko emphasized.

A referendum on more autonomy from the central government in Kiev was an initial demand of rebels at the start of the bloody conflict in eastern regions in April 2014, which so far has killed over 6,400 people.

Currently, the insurgents are seeking full independence for areas under their control, while Kiev is offering them a "special status" within Ukraine on the condition of holding local elections under the country's legislation.

The "special status" increases the authority of local communities by transferring more economic, financial and administrative powers to the regional governments and guarantees local residents the right to use languages by their choice. Endi