Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko (C) has moved to offer wider autonomy to ease down tensions in the country's east. Photo by EPA/BGNES
Lawmakers in Ukraine have passed a bill introduced by President Petro Poroshenko envisaging limited self-determination for the country's east.
Ukraine's government is now calling for local elections (both municipal and general) to be held on December 7 in self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk "people's republics", Russian agency ITAR-TASS and Ukrainian media websites have announced.
The legislation was part of a peace plan signed with separatists on September 5, with the agreement leading to a ceasefire that has mostly been observed despite occasional violations.
Tuesday saw the most recent breach as OSCE monitors were attacked by rebels. "Donetsk People's Republic" Prime Minister Aleksandar Zakharchenko criticized the mission for having failed to announce its arrival in the insurgent-controlled territories where the accident took place.
A broad autonomy will be granted to rebels for a period of three years, and use of the Russian language (as well as other minority languages) will be allowed at state institutions, education and private life.
Within the two republics, a "people's militia" is to be set up to preserved public order.
Additional funding earmarked for the social and economic development of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions will be envisaged in the central budget on a yearly basis.
Amnesty is also included in the new pieces of legislation on the relations with Donbass rebels.