Poroshenko ready to grant special economic zone status to Donbas

10:47, 13.01.2015 1 min read

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said Donbas may be granted special economic zone status if elections are conducted there according to Ukrainian legislation.

"Ukraine is ready to grant Donbas special economic zone status with its own regime governing relations with the EU and Russia," Poroshenko said in an interview with France 24 television. A recording of the interview was published on Monday.

Poroshenko reiterated that in order for that to happen the region has to hold elections in accordance with Ukrainian laws. He recalled that Donbas already has special local self-governance status.

"The conflict in eastern Ukraine is costing Ukraine over $10 million a day," Poroshenko said, reiterating that this is putting "extreme pressure" on the economy.

"No country in the world can have economic growth in a situation of such a difficult war," the president said.

Poroshenko said the conflict in Donbas can be resolved in the course of two weeks if both conflict parties observe the Minsk agreements.