NEW YORK, September 18 (RIA Novosti) – Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has been politically weakened by a peace deal with independence supporters in eastern Ukraine and needs support from Washington, analyst William Pomeranz told RIA Novosti Thursday.
"Poroshenko is slightly weaker now. His very generous peace with the eastern regions has undermined his position domestically," Pomeranz, a Russia expert at the US-based Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars said.
"The proposed ceasefire peace agreement includes not just a devolution of power but a devolution of authority to the separatists and a general amnesty that will leave most of them unpunished. That's what's necessary to move forward, but he's opened up a Pandora's Box that will dominate the upcoming elections, and he may suffer because of that," the expert added.
Poroshenko appeared before US Congress on Thursday and asked for more support against independence forces. The plea for help comes just two weeks after Kiev struck a ceasefire deal with eastern independence fighters during the September 5 meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine.
After Poroshenko's appearance, Washington said it would allocate $53 million in aid to Ukraine, with $46 million helping strengthen Ukraine's security and $7 million meant for humanitarian aid, according to Reuters.
The $46-million security aid includes counter-mortar radar detection equipment, engineering equipment, patrol vehicles, personnel transport, maritime craft, and surveillance equipment, among other supplies, with no lethal weaponry.
The $7 million intended for humanitarian aid will be transferred to international relief organizations, which will help people in the east of Ukraine that suffered because of the confrontation.
