“We, representatives of former regions of Ukraine (excluding the Crimea) declare the founding of a new state which is Ukraine’s successor. We agree that the new state will be called Malorossiya, since the name Ukraine has discredited itself,” the text of the “constitutional act” states.
Donetsk is declared to be the capital of Malorossiya. DPR head Alexander Zakharchenko said that Kyiv “remains a historical-cultural center without the status of capital city”.
“The state flag of Malorossiya is recognized as the flag of Bohdan Khmelnytsky … We believe that the ‘Donetsk People’s Republic’, alongside the ‘Luhansk People’s Republic’ remain the only Ukrainian territories, with the exception of the Crimea, where the legitimate government has been preserved,” Russian Interfax cites Zakharchenko as saying.
Russia, has, of course, downplayed the significance of this announcement, citing it’s continued talks with Kiev.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko vows to restore Eastern Ukraine, as well as Crimea to Ukrainian rule, a proposal, under the present circumstances, despite John McCain’s concern, I would label as doubtful.
The adoption of the flag of Bogdan Khmelnytsky, a 17th Century Cossack who wrested Ukraine from Polish/Lithuanian rule and, along with Belarus, halted their Western Orientation and reunited the region with Mother Russia, I believe, signals Zakharchenko’s intent.
But Putin has nothing to do with this...