The European External Action Service spokesperson, Maja Kocijancic, called on Ukraine to respect the rules in force regarding OSCE/ODIHR election observation on Friday 8 February.
The day before, the Ukrainian Parliament had adopted a bill prohibiting Russian citizens from coming to the country as observers in presidential and parliamentary elections. These elections are scheduled for 31 March and 27 October respectively.
"The EU attaches very high importance to the election observation conducted by OSCE/ODIHR, and we believe that Ukraine should ensure that ODIHR will be able to conduct its election observation in Ukraine in full accordance with the usual practice", explained Ms Kocijancic. However, she made no secret of the fact that the country has been facing “well-known” security challenges since 2014 and that the EU supports Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
In addition, 18 Member States stressed in an informal document prepared for the discussion on Ukraine scheduled for the Foreign Affairs Council on 18 February, that the EU should be ready to act in the event that Russia attempts to undermine the elections.
According to Radio Free Europe, which saw the document, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom believe that the upcoming elections will be “a test for Ukraine: its democracy, reforms, resilience and orientation. It remains in the EU's interest to keep the Ukraine on a European path of reforms and to continue its support.”
The document explains in particular that "the campaign environment is challenging, and that Ukrainian resilience will be key in the case of Russian interference". According to the 18 countries, Russia is expected to "seek to influence the elections through support to its preferred candidates, cyberattacks, and disinformation campaigns”. They are therefore calling for measures to counter the "false Russian discourse of Ukraine as a failed state".
The signatories also urge the Ukrainian government to protect civil society and ensure a “pluralistic, independent and accessible media environment”. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)