Updated 11:56 p.m. Moscow Time
KIEV, October 16 (RIA Novosti) – Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has signed a law on self-governance regulations for some parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, a statement released on the president's official website Thursday said.
"Special procedures in these areas, introduced by the law, are being implemented temporarily, for three years, starting from the date they come into force," the statement says.
According to the statement, the main purpose of the law is "to create conditions for a speedy normalization of the situation [in southeastern Ukraine], restore the rule of law, as well as the citizens" constitutional rights and freedoms".
The law also aims to "restore normal life conditions" and development in regional settlements in order to encourage local residents to return to their homes.
According to the statement, Kiev authorities will not pursue or prosecute local participants in Ukraine's crisis events. Security in the areas will be ensured by teams of people's militia, specially created for the purpose.
The Ukrainian parliament approved the law on self-administration in parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions on September 16. On Tuesday, the law was signed by Ukraine's parliament speaker Oleksandr Turchynov.
The law stipulates that local elections are to take place in the areas on December 7 and also guarantees people the right to use Russian or any other language.
Meanwhile, leaders of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics (DPR, LPR) have stressed that they want full independence from Ukraine and have set elections of regional leaders and legislative bodies for November 2.
