Separatists in eastern Ukraine have taken part in swearing-in ceremonies for their leaders following Sunday's controversial local elections.
The local separatist leadership has confirmed the results of the elections in Donetsk and Luhansk, despite threats by Ukrainian authorities to launch new offensives into the regions.
Meeting with his Security and Defence council, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says the unsanctioned elections have jeopardized the peace process.
"What are the consequences of processes which took place on November 2? A sharp increase in threat to normal life for residents of Donetsk and Luhansk. What is going on there now? Chaos, looting, robbery, sharp fall in people's living standards, absence of basic security and banditry."
Poroshenko has also announced plans for the creation of new legislation to organize new elections in the two separatist regions under Kiev's control.
The proposed legislation would give the areas a special status, which has been agreed to by leaders of several European countries.
