Pro-Russian authorities in the Donetsk-Lugansk regions of Ukraine approved a new constitution on Friday, nearly two months after Russia announced its annexation as part of the invasion unleashed on February 24 on the orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The People’s Council of the Lugansk People’s Republic has approved a new Constitution «as part of the Russian Federation», according to sources quoted by the Russian news agency Interfax, which indicated that the 43 deputies present voted in favor of the text, which describes the region as a «subject of Russia».
The leader of the self-proclaimed republic, Leonid Pasechnik, presented last week a draft for a new Constitution, as confirmed by the president of the pro-Russian Parliament, Denis Miroshnichenko, who acknowledged that the approval of the text has been delayed because «it is not an ordinary law that can be considered quickly».
For its part, the People’s Council of the Donetsk People’s Republic has done the same in its respective vote, which has been described by the leader of this self-proclaimed republic, Denis Pushilin, as «a historic event». «This stage marks the return of the Donbas to the bosom of the Russian cultural and historical tradition, the fulfillment of our hopes and the materialization of the goal for which we have been working for eight long years,» he said.
Pushilin detailed that «the Basic Law establishes the priority of family education of children, concern for their welfare and development», before stressing that «conditions are created that contribute to the spiritual, moral, intellectual and physical development of children, as well as education in patriotism, citizenship and respect for the elders».
«We will see the first changes, which will affect everyone, from January 1. This applies primarily to social support. We have planted many elements of the transition in the next stage. Now the constitution will allow all citizens to see it,» he concluded, according to the Russian news agency TASS.
Donetsk and Lugansk have been the epicenter of a conflict since 2014, which spread nationwide following Putin’s order to launch a military offensive against Ukraine.
Putin announced in September the annexation of Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson and Zaporiyia, all of which were partially occupied as part of the invasion, a decision endorsed in early October by the Russian parliament. The announcement came after a series of referendums criticized by the international community for their lack of guarantees.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
