A city in western Ukraine will name a central square after Soviet-era nationalist leader Stepan Bandera, Ternopol Mayor Serhiy Nadal said on Tuesday.
"We are planning to put this matter on the agenda of the next meeting that will take place in February," Nadal said, adding that the city administration was preparing a series of measures to "immortalize Bandera's memory."
The nationalist Svoboda party holds a majority in the Ternopol city council, as well as in many other western Ukrainian cities.
The Soviet authorities accused Bandera, who fought both the Nazis and the Soviets in his quest for an independent Ukraine, of numerous acts of murder and terrorism. He was assassinated by the KGB in Munich, Germany, on October 15, 1959.
Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, known for his promotion of Ukrainian nationalism, issued a controversial decree in January 2010 to award Stepan Bandera the title of national hero about a month before his presidential term expired in February.
The decree honoring Bandera provoked anger from both Russia and the West and was repealed by the country's new leader, President Viktor Yanukovych.
KIEV, January 18 (RIA Novosti)
