Poroshenko to Appoint Regional Presidential Representatives in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has proposed to appoint regional representatives to oversee human rights violations and constitutional infringements.

The scope of the representatives’ mission is outlined in the draft constitutional amendment, which will be submitted to the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) on Thursday, Interfax agency revealed.

The presidential representatives will also assist the local regional councils and self-governing bodies.

In other developments, Poroshenko held a conference call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, French President Francois Hollande, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel to discuss the implementation of the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine.

Poroshenko complained to the other leaders of gross violations of the ceasefire over the past days, citing 52 cases of violence by separatist groups, which left 18 people dead and 27 injured, Kyiv Post reports. They also discussed the OSCE monitoring mission, which should incorporate Russian observers in the problematic regions.

Kiev welcomed as a “positive sign” Russia’s decision to cancel the mandate to its armed forces to operate on Ukrainian soil.

Chancellor Merkel proposed that both sides to the conflict exchange a list of hostages and move towards freeing those in captivity.