On Tuesday 30 October, five current members of the United Nations Security Council – France, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom – and three former and future members – Italy, Belgium and Germany – condemned the elections planned on 11 November in the non-government controlled territories of the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic and Donetsk People’s Republic.
"If held, these illegitimate 'elections' would contravene commitments made under the Minsk agreements and violate Ukrainian law. Any such illegal elections would be incompatible with the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine", they warned in a joint press release.
The Europeans thus called on the international community "to stand united in opposing these illegitimate 'elections' that can only serve to undermine efforts to achieve peace in the region". "We urge the separatists to abandon the plans for 'elections' and call on Russia to bring its considerable influence to bear to stop the so-called 'elections' from taking place", they added.
In their view, "only progress on the diplomatic front will bring us to a point where legitimate and credible elections can be held in eastern Ukraine in line with the Minsk agreements". The eight member states urged all parties to commit to full implementation of these agreement, " beginning with a comprehensive ceasefire and withdrawal of heavy weaponry". Russia must play its part by ending its financial and military support to the separatists and withdrawing its armed forces and military equipment from Ukrainian territory, they added
Back in September, the EU, via the spokesperson for the European External Action Service, condemned the organisation of the elections when they were announced (see EUROPE 12092). (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)