Ukraine government troops are still engaged in fighting with anti-government forces in the country’s east. On Monday, the Ukrainian President announced he is dissolving parliament, and called an early election to replace the current members.
"They must bear responsibility for this - both criminal and political. A lot of deputies who attend or do not attend parliament sessions are either direct sponsors and accomplices or supporters of rebels and terrorists," said Petro Poroshenko, Ukrainian President.
Poroshenko said the election would be held on October 26th, and is in line with the country’s constitution, following the collapse of the ruling coalition several weeks ago. He also outlined his hope that fresh elections will aid his peace process in the east of the nation.
The announcement comes a day before a summit between Poroshenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin, for talks that may end a conflict that has left ties between Moscow and the West at their most toxic since the Cold War.