Ukraine's Highest Court approves limited self-rule for separatists

(Vatican Radio) Ukraine's highest court has approved constitutional changes backed by the government that would allow limited self-rule to the rebel-held areas of Donetsk and Luhansk, while the International Monetary Fund announced a 1.7 billion dollar aid package to the country.  The changes are part of efforts to end a conflict with separatists.  

Listen to the report by Stefan Bos: 

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said Friday's constitutional court ruling means that "for the first time in Ukraine's history, its head of state and government are ceding a large degree of their powers to the regions".

Even the rebel held areas of Donetsk and Luhansk have been granted limited self-rule. It's part of a peace deal aimed at ending fighting between Ukrainian government forces and Russian-backed separatists that has killed close to 7,000 people. 

President Poroshenko said the constitutional changes will make Ukraine more powerful and whole as a nation. 

ELECTIONS CONTROVERSIAL 

However Ukraine still insists that elections in rebel-held Donetsk and Luhansk must comply with the electoral rules set in Kiev - rather than terms set by the separatists.
 
And President Poroshenko warned recently that Kiev wants to remain in control over key institutions of this former Soviet republic.

“I want to emphasise again that decentralisation does not mean weakening of the central government in such issues as defense, foreign policy, national security, 
the rule of law, and the respect for civil liberties," he said. 

"Implementing the decentralisation, we firmly ensure ourselves from enemy attempts to use new and broad powers of local communities to destroy our sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

LEGISLATORS DISAGREE

However many parliamentarians oppose autonomy for the war-torn east and the decision must be voted through parliament. 

Amid the political debate, deadly clashes continue in the east, despite a ceasefire agreement. The West claims there is clear evidence of Russian regular troops helping the rebels, charges Moscow denies. 

Despite the tensions, the International Monetary Fund has released $1.7bn in aid to Ukraine as part of a bailout aimed at stabilising the country's troubled economy. 

Ukraine is also trying to reach a deal with its main creditors on restructuring its debts.