When considering the draft law on the reintegration of the Donbas, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine refused to amend it to break the diplomatic relations with Russia. For the adoption of a radical initiative, only 72 deputies voted, while 226 votes are needed for this, RIA Novosti reports.. Rada is currently continuing the discussion in the second reading of the bill on the reintegration of Donbass. The project gives the president the authority to use armed forces in the region without declaring war. The document was approved in the first reading in October last year. The territory of Donbass, beyond Kiev's control, is recognized as "occupied", and Russia is called an aggressor country. Diplomatic relations between Russia and Ukraine were established in 1992. According to the Ukrainian laws, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country, or another central executive body, can make a proposal for breaking diplomatic relations.

The Ukrainian diplomatic department said that it does not support this idea, since it will negatively affect the Ukrainians. In turn, Moscow emphasizes that this will only complicate the situation and damage the interests of citizens of both countries. At a meeting on January 17, the Rada considered 624 of 673 amendments to the bill on the reintegration of Donbass, voting for the document will be held on the morning of January 18. Earlier, Ukrainian parliamentarians refused to recognize the proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics as "terrorist organizations".