Poroshenko Threatens to Impose Emergency Situation if Ceasefire Violated

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has threatened to halt the process in amending the country’s constitution on decentralization of power if the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine is breached.

KIEV (Sputnik) – However, Poroshenko claimed that the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine is finally being observed.

Poroshenko added, however, that Ukraine needs to fortify its army and that Kiev needs to be prepared “for a breach and defense at any moment.”

“If things reach a military or emergency situation, then I will impose a military and emergency situation and there won’t be any changes in elections,” Poroshenko said in regard to changes in the country’s constitution on the decentralization of power.

Kiev and the self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Lugansk agreed on the ceasefire in the Belarusian capital of Minsk in mid-February 2015, but have repeatedly accused each other of violating the deal.

During a Contact Group meeting on Ukraine reconciliation in late August, the sides to the conflict reaffirmed their commitment to the Minsk ceasefire regime. The commitment came into force on September 1.

“Since midnight, August 29, I can say that for the first time in a year and a half it is quiet on the front. Yesterday, the day before yesterday, and today there has not been a single shot fired,” Poroshenko said.