Poroshenko rules out referendum on secession of Donbas
President Petro Poroshenko has ruled out the possibility of a referendum on secession of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region, TASS reports.
"I will never let the issue of Donbas’ secession be brought up at the all-Ukraine referendum," he said.
The president said only broadening of powers in certain areas could be discussed.
He didn't, however, rule out holding a referendum on the status of Donbas within Ukraine "to ask Ukrainians how they see the future of Donbas." "However, within Ukraine, I underscore this," the president added.
The head of the Petro Poroshenko Bloc’s parliamentary faction, Yuri Lutsenko, earlier suggested holding a referendum on granting special status to some regions of Donbas simultaneously with the local elections scheduled for October 25.