Ukraine mulls granting 'special status' to eastern regions

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko Wednesday said the government is considering a bill to grant "special status" to regions in eastern Ukraine in an effort to overcome the current crisis.

"Next week, the bill will be submitted to parliament," Poroshenko said during a cabinet meeting.

Poroshenko said the bill was drafted to secure a "peaceful return of the restive territories under Ukraine's dominion", Xinhua reported.

The Ukrainian authorities were ready to implement reforms that would strengthen the regions' powers, Poroshenko said, stressing that the referendum on the country's federalisation was not on the agenda.

Tensions in eastern Ukraine have been escalating since mid-April following an armed confrontation between government forces and independence-seeking insurgents in those regions.

After last week's peace talks in Minsk, the rebels have reportedly softened their stance and asked the Ukrainian government to grant amnesty to pro-Russian fighters and recognise "the special status" of Donetsk and Lugansk regions, under which more autonomy will be given to the areas with the role of Russian language strengthened.