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Donbass to Remain in Ukraine, Residents Can Speak 2 Languages - Poroshenko

© REUTERS / Alexander ErmochenkoLocal resident Nikolai, 82, inspects his apartment, which according to locals, was recently destroyed by shelling, in Donetsk
Local resident Nikolai, 82, inspects his apartment, which according to locals, was recently destroyed by shelling, in Donetsk - Sputnik International
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Petro Poroshenko stated that Eastern Ukraine would remain part of the country and promised that Donbass residents could speak both Russian and Ukrainian.

Soldiers from the Ukrainian army ride on tanks in the port city of Mariupol, southeastern Ukraine - Sputnik International
A Step Toward Peace? Poroshenko Calls for Agreement on 30-km Buffer Zone
KIEV (Sputnik) — Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on Wednesday that eastern Ukraine is and will always be a Ukrainian region and its residents could freely speak both Ukrainian and Russian languages.

"Donbass is and will be Ukrainian (region), the Ukrainian and Russian languages will be freely used there," the president said during a working visit to Severodonetsk in the Lugansk region.

He noted that Kiev does not support the war, but is seeking peace.

Economic Renewal to Begin in Donbass Next Year if Stable Ceasefire Observed

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko - Sputnik International
Most Ukrainians Dissatisfied With Performance of Yatsenyuk, Poroshenko
A sustainable truce in eastern Ukraine could create the basis for beginning the country's economic renewal next year, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on Wednesday.

The truce in eastern Ukraine was a key provision of the February Minsk peace agreement but the fighting in Donbass continues.

"If we prevent the further escalation and maintain at least a truce, but a stable and reliable one, then next year we will be able to resume economic growth and feel the first results of the reforms," Poroshenko said.

He added that there is no alternative to a political and diplomatic settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Ukrainian servicemen from battalion Kiev1 walk outside a checkpoint near Marinka, Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine - Sputnik International
Kiev Can't Get Donbass Back Through Economic Blockade – French Media
The region was severely affected by fighting between Kiev forces and Donbass independence supporters, which started in April 2014.

In November 2014, Poroshenko signed a decree imposing an economic blockade on Donbass and withdrawing all state-funded health, education and social protection organizations from the region.

Despite the fact that Minsk agreements stipulated the removal of the blockade, the authorities of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics point out that Kiev has not eased the blockade.

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