The Donetsk People's Republic's head Alexander Zakharchenko has declared the establishment of a new country - Malorossiya - which the local leadership described as a successor state to Ukraine.
"We propose to establish the state of Malorossiya. Malorossiya is an independent young state. A transition period of up to 3 years," Zakharchenko said.
Noting that discussions within the DPR had "come to the conclusion that Ukraine has shown itself as a failed state," he called on the international community to support his proposal.
"We should be supported by the residents of the regions. This solution is possible provided that the international community supports the idea," Sputnik cited Zakharchenko as saying.
Malorossiya has been declared as a sovereign federated state with the capital of Donetsk and successor state to Ukraine. The new state's constitution will be approved after a referendum and broad discussion.
"We, the representatives of former Ukraine, declare the establishment of a new state, Malorossiya, which is a successor state to Ukraine. We agree that the new state's name will be Malorossiya because the very name of Ukraine has discredited itself. The city of Donetsk becomes Malorossiya's capital," DPR Income Minister Alexander Timofeev said while reading a constitution act on the formation of the new country.
Malorossiya's constitution will state its non-aligned status and policy toward restoring ties with Russia, he added. The new country will seek to join the union state of Russia and Belarus while keeping its sovereignty.
