Poroshenko orders implementation of NSDC decision, temporary halt to cargo shipments with occupied territories

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has signed a decree implementing the March 15 decision by Ukraine's National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) to temporarily halt cargo shipments across the line of demarcation between Ukrainian troops and combined Russian-separatist militant groups in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

"To implement the NSDC decision taking on March 15, 2017, titled 'On urgent additional measures to counteract hybrid threats to Ukraine's national security,'" the decree says.

The decree takes effect upon its publication.

According the NSDC's decision, which is attached to the decree, "temporarily, until the realization of items 1 and 2 of the Minsk 'Set of measures' from February 12, 2015, as well as the return of seized enterprises to operations in accordance with the legislation of Ukraine, to cease cargo shipments across the line of demarcation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions."

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine is ordered to immediately take measures to cease cargo shipments across the line of demarcation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, except for cargo carrying humanitarian goods and shipments of Ukrainian and international humanitarian assistance.

The government is also tasked with ensuring the safe and reliable functioning of energy and metallurgical enterprises of Ukraine, the neutralization of economic security threats and minimization of consequences for the economy and budget of Ukraine, in accordance with a number of earlier adopted NSDC decisions and presidential decrees.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry, the National Police of Ukraine, the National Guard, State Fiscal Service of Ukraine are ordered with the participation of Ukraine's SBU Security Service to immediately ensure fulfillment of this decision, having halted railway and overland road cargo shipments across the line of demarcation of demarcation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, to create conditions for engaging citizens in the control of implementing these measures as provided for by this decision, as well as to take addition measures to strengthen public safety and prevent incidents of a diversionary and terrorist nature designed to disrupt public order.

In addition, the decision recommends heads of the Anti-terrorism Operation (ATO) in Donetsk and Luhansk regions to take comprehensive steps to neutralize any possible acts of armed provocation.