U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker has called on the Russian Federation to cancel sham, illegal elections in Donbas in connection with the extension by the Verkhovna Rada of the law on the special order of local self-government in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
"Congratulations to @poroshenko, @AndriyParubiy, and @ua_parliament for renewing special status. Major step; Ukraine doing its part for peace. Now it's Russia's turn. Disappointed some major political figures did not support this important step. #DonbasisUkraine," he wrote on Twitter.
"Ukraine has repeatedly done its part to implement Minsk, now Russia must fulfill its commitments - a real ceasefire, withdrawal of foreign fighters/equipment, removal of illegal armed formations, exchange detainees...," Volker tweeted.
"Russia must also cancel sham, illegal elections in Russia-controlled Donetsk and Luhansk — completely contrary to Minsk agreements. It's time for #peace4Ukraine," he said.
As UNIAN reported earlier, the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, on Thursday adopted presidential bill No. 9153 to amend Article 1 of the law on the special order of local self-government in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, extending the validity of the law until December 31, 2019.
