On 18 January, the Ukrainian parliament adopted the so-called bill on the reintegration of Donbas (No 7163) in the second reading and in general. It defines state policy on the restoration of Ukraine's sovereignty over the temporarily occupied territories in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
The bill was supported by 280 MPs.
Parliament has been considering numerous amendments to this bill since 16 January, having voted all of them.
In the meantime, MP Ivan Vinnyk, who presented the bill, read out a number of technical and legal amendments that were approved without consideration.
MPs supported several previously rejected amendments. The final text of the bill is not available yet.
The document defines the territories controlled by the separatist Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics as temporarily occupied by Russia.
The military presence of Ukraine in Donbas is defined as "measures to ensure national security and defence by deterring and repelling Russian armed aggression in Donetsk and Luhansk regions". Amendments are to be made to other laws to replace the term "antiterrorist operation".
The Joint Operational Headquarters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be in command of the troops in Donbas.