Ukraine’s rebels explain why they aren’t contesting Kiev’s claim on Crimea

Vladislav Deinego, the spokesperson for the Luhansk People’s Republic, explained today why separatists in eastern Ukraine submitted amendments to the Ukrainian constitution that identify Crimea as Ukrainian territory.

According to Deinego, both the so-called Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics prepared constitutional amendments addressing only their own status in Ukraine, in accordance with the Minsk II agreement. The phrasing about Crimea, Deinego says, is default constitutional language that is outside the scope of amendments the separatists can offer.

Article 133 of the Ukrainian constitution states, “The Autonomous Republic of Crimea, and its regions, districts, cities, districts in cities, towns, and villages, are part of the system of Ukraine’s administrative-territorial structure.”

The separatists in Luhansk and Donetsk proposed amending Article 133 to read as follows: “The Autonomous Republic of Crimea and some special regions with special status in Donetsk and Luhansk, and their regions, districts, cities, districts in cities, towns, and villages, are part of the system of Ukraine’s administrative-territorial structure.”

“Proposing that Crimea be removed or kept in this article was entirely out of our hands, as it has no relation to the Donbass,” said Deinego.

On June 8, separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk proposed constitutional amendments that would grant “special status” to the areas now under rebel control, while recognizing them as “integral parts of Ukraine.” The separatists are also proposing amendments that would provide local authorities with wide political and budgetary powers over the Donbass (the region of eastern Ukraine now in rebel hands). Donetsk and Luhansk say they want the right to maintain their own militias, as well.