Interfax: Donbass “republics” ready to discuss autonomy within Ukraine-rebel chiefs

(Interfax – May 11, 2015)

The leadership of the [self-proclaimed] Donetsk People’s Republic [DPR] has admitted the possibility of assuming a broad autonomy status, but without any harm to the interests of the self-proclaimed republic.

“We agree to the broadest autonomy without harm to our interests. If Kiev does not adhere to the Minsk agreements, the DPR will be forced to move to full independence,” DPR envoy Denys Pushylin [Denis Pushilin] told journalists on Monday [11 May].

According to him, the DPR has “proposed amendments to the draft constitution (of Ukraine Interfax), so that other regions have the right to self-determination.”

It was reported earlier that there were several working groups created, including a group on political settlement issues, which would work on the constitutional reform in Ukraine.

[The Interfax news agency reported at 1138 gmt on 11 May, quoting the LPR (self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic) prime minister, Hennadiy Tsypkalov [Gennadiy Tsipkalov], that the LPR authorities were ready to discuss the decentralization of power in Ukraine, including the possibility of autonomy status only after the Minsk accords were fulfilled by Kiev along with a constitutional reform.]