Ukraine Able to Provide Security After Decentralization Vote - State Dept

The United States believes Ukrainian law enforcement will be able to control the security situation following a final vote on constitutional amendments to decentralize power in the country, US State Department spokesperson Mark Toner said in a press briefing on Tuesday.

WASHINGTON, (Sputnik) — The Ukrainian parliament on Monday passed a reading of draft constitutional changes that are aimed at providing greater autonomy to Donetsk and Lugansk in eastern Ukraine as part of the Minsk agreements to end the conflict in the country.

“We have confidence in Ukraine’s government and in their law enforcement agencies to be able to provide security,” Toner said in response to a question whether the United States has any concerns about violence erupting after the final vote.

The passage of the procedural hurdle sparked clashes outside parliament as right-wing Ukrainian nationalists fired weapons and tossed grenades, leaving one National Guard soldier dead and at least 100 people wounded.

On Monday, US State Department said the Ukrainian government should fully investigate the cause of the confrontation.