Ukraine closes state institutions, banking services in east
Kiev Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko issued several decrees on Saturday to shut state institutions and banking services in pro-Russian eastern regions, pressing a move to cut links with the rebel-held territory.
Ukrainehas cut all state funding to separatist parts of Donetsk andLuhanskregions after separatists held elections in late October which Poroshenko condemned as illegal and in violation of a ceasefire agreement made in September.
The rebels, in turn, sayUkraineviolated the deal by moving to revoke a law granting the regions autonomy, putting an already fragile ceasefire in doubt.
A decree posted on the president's website said all state companies, institutions and organizations should end their work within a week and "evacuate workers, with their permission, (and) where possible remove property and documents."
The ruling, which formally asks parliament to revoke the "special status" of the regions, also suggestsUkraine's central bank take measures to close down all banking services in certain parts of separatist-held areas, including card operations.
UkraineaccusesRussiaof sending more soldiers and weapons to help rebels prepare for a new offensive and has cut off state funding to the war-shattered eastern regions as it refuses "to finance terrorists."
The Kremlin has repeatedly denied aiding the separatists, driving relations with Kiev to an all-time low.
A Reuters reporter saw an unidentified 40-vehicle column of military vehicles, including personnel carriers and artillery guns, traveling across separatist territory towards the rebel-held city ofLuhanskon Saturday.
A Ukrainian military spokesman said seven soldiers had been killed in the past 24 hours, while the press service for the 'Donetsk People's Republic' said six civilians, including two children, were killed in shelling on Friday. More than 4,000 people have been killed in the conflict so far.
The presidential rulings, which are based on decisions made byUkraine'sSecurity Council, also require Ukrainian gas producers to supply all their output in the 2014-15 seasons to the population, rather than to industry.
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Ukraine closes state institutions, banking services in east