Poroshenko doesn't rule out revision of draft changes to Constitution dealing with decentralization if Russia doesn't fulfill Minsk agreements

There has been silence on the frontline since August 29 for the first time in the past year and a half, he said. The future of the constitutional amendments in Ukraine depends on general progress in the implementation of the Minsk agreements and "on the policy that we are pursuing and it should also motivate Russia to pursue through common and well-coordinated efforts," he said. Talking about amendments on decentralization of the country and giving more power to the regions, Poroshenko said once again that he will not allow Ukraine to change from a unitary state. No amendments will be made to the Ukrainian constitution if martial law or a state of emergency is declared in the country, the Head of State noted. Poroshenko said the draft changes to the Constitution dealing with the decentralization of power may be revised if Russia does not fulfil the Minsk agreements. He also said he had signed a decree "On ensuring the holding of democratic, fair and transparent local elections on October 25, 2015." According to the President, the increase in powers of local authorities and local self-government demands greater responsibility of voters. Poroshenko insists on holding local elections on the entire territory of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions controlled by Kyiv, except for the districts adjacent to the contact line between the conflicting parties. He said the Verkhovna Rada would call elections in these districts after the situation there stabilizes. Poroshenko said he had a very serious discussion with government officials and community leaders in the Donbas territories controlled by Kyiv. "Arguments for not holding elections were quite convincing," Poroshenko said, adding that he understood all the risks and dangers of holding elections in this territory.