Poroshenko: Kiev Ready to Start Decentralization of Power

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko announced Kiev ready to start the process of decentralization of power and warned that the representatives elected by the communities should be ready to take, along with authority, a responsibility for vital activity and development of the country's territories.

MOSCOW, December 7 (Sputnik) — Kiev is ready to start the decentralization of power, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said Sunday.

“Today the community wants to live differently, and to have more opportunities. We are ready to start the process of decentralization of power," a statement published on Poroshenko’s official website said.

The Ukrainian leader noted that the need for such changes is especially relevant in light of the local and regional elections in Ukraine, to be held in 2015.

Poroshenko warned that the representatives elected by the communities should be "ready to take, together with authority, a responsibility for vital activity and development of the territories”.

Ukrainian southeastern regions refused to recognize legitimacy of a new government that came to power in Ukraine following a February coup.

Elected as Ukraine’s president in May, Poroshenko has said that the country will never become a federation, but has stated that Kiev is ready for a certain decentralization of power.