Ukraine was, is and will be unitary, as stated by the President at the expanded meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers. "Federalization is a seed that will not catch on in the Ukrainian soil," the Head of State noted.
The President has underlined the need for implementing the program of reforms and noted the top priority of decentralization. "Decentralization elaborated by us will have nothing in common with federalization. Ukraine is a unitary state and it fully meets the interests of the Ukrainian people. More than 80% of population firmly stand for the unitary Ukraine," the President noted.
The President has informed that decentralization in Ukraine would be implemented using the international experience. According to him, international experts and advisors have already started working and the experience of Poland has been taken as a basis. Meanwhile he has emphasized that decentralization would not affect a series of issues, particularly the issue of defense, security and foreign policy. The right to form local battalions or people's militia is inadmissible. "Responsibility for separatist statements that lead to the split of the country must be increased during the process of decentralization," the President added. Also, there will be no compromise in the issue of the official language. Ukrainian language is and will remain the only one official language. At the same time, as stated by the President, the protection of regional languages that may be adopted by local councils will be ensured.
The draft law on constitutional amendments submitted by the President is currently being revised. The Head of State has informed that the Decree on the establishment of the Constitutional Commission had already been ready. Petro Poroshenko suggests that Chairman of Verkhovna Rada Volodymyr Groysman become head of the given Commission.