Ukraine and the civilized world never recognize the sham elections in separate areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions (ORDLO). All Ukrainians living in these areas are temporary hostages of Russia, and we have to tell these things to them. The reforms being implemented are for the sake of development and consolidation which will allow to hold reconstruction and restoration of the infrastructure and future life of people in the east and south of Ukraine. This was announced by Vice Prime Minister/Minister of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Utilities of Ukraine Hennadii Zubko on air of the ICTV channel in The Freedom of Speech program.

"Our task in the framework of decentralization as well as in accordance with the methodology  is to develop roadmaps for forming CCs (consolidated communities) in temporary occupied territories. We need to show how communities with new opportunities and resources will be formed and to shape new perspective plans for reconstruction of infrastructure, kindergartens and schools. But first of all, a total ceasefire and withdrawal of troops and armaments of the Russian Federation from the territory of Ukraine, the full implementation of the Minsk agreements and taking under control our borders," Hennadii Zubko stated.

He stressed that the Regional Development Council chaired by the President of Ukraine gathered the best managers from across the country, who showed  tangible results due the decentralization reform.

"Four years ago, nobody believed that a window of opportunities for the regions will be opened and that there will be a political will of the President and the Parliament. But it succeeded! The decentralization reform gave green light to the transfer of powers, capabilities and resources to the regions. Today we can say that for the first time, local budgets totaled 52% of the consolidated budget of Ukraine, budgets of development grew from UAH 60 billion up to UAH 230 billion. These results prove that Ukraine is on the right track! ", the Vice Prime Minister said.

Hennadii Zubko emphasized that  865 CCs, uniting almost 8.5 million Ukrainians, were created in Ukraine. The Government approved 1210 roadmaps  for amalgamation of communities which will cover 77.2% of the country's territory.