Ukraine to remain unitary after decentralization: president

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said Wednesday that his country will remain "a unitary state" after decentralization reform, which gives more autonomy to certain regions.

At a meeting of the Council of Regional Development, Poroshenko emphasized that Ukraine's decentralization model would not federalize the country, as the reform would transfer more powers to regional authorities only over the local economy and administrative apparatus, while the issues of defense, foreign policy and national security will remain under the control of Kiev.

In addition, Poroshenko said that Ukraine's decentralization initiative, one of the main provisions of the Minsk cease-fire deal designed to put an end to the conflict in eastern regions, is a compromise to serve the interests of all Ukrainian regions and keep the country united.

Last week, the Ukrainian Parliament adopted, at first reading, draft legislation on constitutional amendments for decentralization, designed to give greater autonomy to the Donetsk and Lugansk regions in the east as part of the Minsk peace plan.

The Parliament's decision sparked controversy in Ukraine with some political forces claiming that it could split the country.

The decision also triggered violent clashes between police and members of nationalist political parties, leaving three people dead and more than 100 others injured. Endi