Ukrainian parliament to debate bill banning separatism - Turchynov

Ukraine's parliament on Tuesday plans to debate a bill that would tighten liability for separatism and ban political parries with a separatist bias.

The Verkhovna Rada's speaker and interim president Oleksandr Turchynov said on Monday that, "the bill tightening criminal liability for separatism and other crimes against the state will be debated among the first issues."

"In accordance with the Ukrainian laws, a ban on political parties and public organizations with a separatist and anti-state bias will be debated," he said.

"I respect different political opinions, including those shared by our opponents, but separatism and the use of arms against the state pose a direct threat to citizens' security and lives. It is not a policy, but a grave crime. We will deal with criminals adequately and resolutely," Turchynov said.