Ukraine to permit citizens to carry firearms and act in self-defence

Kyiv: Parliament of Ukraine on Wednesday has voted approval in the first reading a draft law that gives permission to Ukrainian citizens to carry firearms and act in self-defence.

The lawmakers said that, “The adoption of this law is fully in the interests of the state and society.” Further adding that, “The law was necessary due to the existing threats and dangers for the citizens of Ukraine.”

One of the Europe’s worst security crisis in decades was unfolding after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognised two areas of eastern Ukraine as independent and ordered troops to be deployed to eastern Ukraine.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky demanded an immediate stop to the Nord Stream 2 project, and Kyiv prepared to sever relations with Moscow in response to its recognition of two breakaway regions.

Complete details about Russia-Ukraine conflict-

• The tensions between Ukraine and Russia first ignited in late 2013 over a landmark political and trade deal with the European Union. After the pro-Russian then-President, Viktor Yanukovych, suspended the talks, weeks of protests in Kyiv erupted into violence. 
• Then again, in March 2014, Russia annexed Crimea, an autonomous peninsula in the southern region of Ukraine with solid Russian loyalties, on the pretext that it was defending its interests and those of Russian-speaking citizens.
• Sooner after, pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions have declared their independence from Kyiv, prompting months of heavy fighting. Despite Kyiv and Moscow signing a peace deal in Minsk in 2015, which was abolished by France and Germany, there have been repeated ceasefire violations.

Complete details about the Minsk agreement-

Minsk I- Ukraine and Russia-backed separatists agreed on a 12-point ceasefire deal in the capital of Belarus in September 2014.

• The deal’s provisions include prisoner exchanges, deliveries of humanitarian aid, and the withdrawal of heavy weapons.
• The agreement quickly broke down, with violations by both of sides.

Minsk II- During 2015, an open conflict was avoided post the ‘Minsk II’ peace agreement was signed, under the mediation of Germany and France.

• It was signed to put an end to the fight in the rebel regions and hand over the border to Ukraine’s national troops.