Ukrainian Parliament Passes Controversial Donbas Law

On October 6, the Ukrainian parliament voted on two laws potentially defining the future of the country's occupied Donbas region. One draft law, passed in the first reading, would set a legal framework for the region's "de-occupation," declare Russia an agressor, and alter Ukraine's military operation in the Donbas. The other — passed by parliament and signed into law by the president — will now extend the region's "special status" and local self-governance for another year. Initially passed in 2014 as a requirement of the Minsk Accords, the "special status" law has never truly come into force. But it has sparked controversy for granting amnesty to the Russia-backed fighters. It's extension was also bound to be contentious.

Hromadske speaks with political analyst of Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation Maria Zolkina to learn what these two new laws mean for Ukraine.