Here's an update from our news desk on the vote in the Verkhovna Rada:
Ukraine’s parliament has tentatively approved a presidential bill on changes to the constitution that would give more autonomy to pro-Russian separatists in the eastern part of the country.
Of the 368 lawmakers registered at the August 31 session, a total of 265 supported the bill on its first reading.
The bill was submitted by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in accordance with the cease-fire agreement that was reached in February in Minsk.
The draft amendment to Ukraine’s constitution contains a provision stating that the exercise of local self-governance in some parts of the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk is determined by a separate law.
At least 300 votes will be needed to pass the constitutional amendment at the next session of parliament.
Dozens of lawmakers opposed to the amendment briefly blocked the podium in the parliament in an August 31 protest while hundreds of activists staged a protest against the bill outside of the parliament building.
Meanwhile, dozens of activists who were protesting against the legislation clashed with police outside the parliament building after the vote was announced.
(AFP, Interfax)
Here's another update from our news desk on the reported blast outside the Ukrainian parliament:
Several Ukrainian National Guard servicemen have reportedly been wounded by what one lawmaker described as a grenade blast.
Lawmaker Anton Herashchenko said on Facebook that "a combat grenade" was thrown at servicemen who were "guarding the Verkhovna Rada" during a protest against a controversial bill.
He said the lives of several wounded National Guard members "are in danger."
Footage showed bloodstains on the pavement as servicemen dragged at least two wounded security officers from the scene.
Reports of a "loud explosion" on August 31 came after dozens of activists clashed during a protest against a presidential bill aimed at extending the level of autonomy for pro-Russian separatists in parts of eastern Ukraine.
The parliament approved the first reading of a constitutional amendment stating that a separate law will determine the exercising of local self-governance in parts of the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.
Of the 368 lawmakers at the August 31 session, 265 supported the bill.
The bill was submitted by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in accordance with February's Minsk cease-fire agreement.
At least 300 votes will be needed to pass the constitutional amendment at the next session of parliament.
(AFP, Interfax)