KIEV, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Tuesday called a local election in eastern regions to be held " under Ukrainian law".
"We are ready to clearly define the area where these elections will be held in accordance with the Ukrainian legislation," Poroshenko said during an emergency meeting of the country's National Security and Defense Council to discuss the recent vote organized by independence-seeking insurgents which was rejected by Kiev.
Accusing the rebels of violating a ceasefire agreement signed in Belarusian capital Minsk, Poroshenko asked the security chiefs and the parliament to scrap a law on "special status" of areas in the east including those controlled by the rebels.
Instead, Poroshenko proposed to create a free economic zone in Lugansk and Donetsk regions that will have special trade relations with Russia and the European Union.
The law on "special status", which increases the authority of local communities by transferring more economic, financial and administrative powers to the regional governments, was approved by the Ukrainian parliament on Sept. 16 following a ceasefire agreement with rebels.
On Sunday, insurgents in eastern Ukraine held controversial " presidential and parliamentary elections", which Kiev deemed illegitimate and counter to the Minsk peace protocol.
MOSCOW, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- Russia's Foreign Ministry said late Sunday that Moscow respects the expression of the will of people in southeastern Ukraine to vote by election for regional leaders and legislative bodies. Full story
WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- The White House on Monday condemned the "illegitimate" elections held in parts of eastern Ukraine and threatened to impose more costs on Russia over its further "destabilizing" actions. Full story
KIEV, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- The independence-seeking insurgents in Lugansk and Donetsk regions in eastern Ukraine on Monday revealed the final results of their contentious "presidential and parliamentary elections."Full Story
UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Wednesday deplored elections planned by rebel groups in eastern Ukraine, saying the vote will seriously undermine the Minsk Protocol and Memorandum.Full Story
MOSCOW, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday that Moscow will recognize the results of Ukraine's early parliamentary elections, local media reported.
"Judged by everything, the elections were valid. I think we will recognize the results of these elections," the Interfax news agency quoted Lavrov as saying.Full Story
