Ukraine leader urges unity to bring change, combat Russian 'aggressor'

Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko delivers a speech, while holding a flag brought from eastern regions of the country where a military conflict takes place, during a ceremony marking the Day of the State Flag, on the eve of the Independence Day, in Kiev, Ukraine, August 23, 2015. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

KIEV (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko called on all political forces in the country on Sunday to rally behind his plans for constitutional change aimed at ending a separatist conflict in the east and defeating what he termed the "Russian aggressor".

Poroshenko used a flag-raising ceremony in Kiev on the eve of Independence Day to make a clear pitch to his coalition allies to overcome their doubts and vote in favour of amendments to the constitution that will allot special status to separatist-minded parts of eastern Ukraine.