Eight European Union members of the United Nations Security Council have called on the authorities of the Russian Federation to stop preparations for illegal elections in the Russian-occupied part of Donbas.
The statement on behalf of the eight countries – the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Italy, Belgium and Germany – was delivered by Ambassador Karen Pierce, UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations, before a UN Security Council meeting on Tuesday, October 30.
"I would like to make the following statement today on behalf of the five EU Members of the Security Council (France, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and the UK), and Italy, Belgium and Germany, as former and future EU Members of the Security Council, which demonstrates the continuity of the EU's position on Ukraine," she said.
"We as Member States of the European Union fully support the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within the internationally recognised borders," the statement said. "We condemn the illegitimate 'elections' planned for November 11 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."
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The eight European Union members of the United Nations Security Council insist that any such illegal elections would be incompatible with the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
"We call 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 'elections' from taking place," they said.
As UNIAN reported earlier, the Russian-controlled de-facto authorities in Donbas plan to hold local elections in the Russian-controlled areas in Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions on November 11.
The U.S. Department of State calls on Russia to join aspirations for peace in Ukraine and cancel the illegitimate, sham elections in the occupied areas.
A powerful message from five EU Members of #UNSC (France, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and the UK), and Italy, Belgium, Germany: If held, these illegitimate “elections” in Donbas would contravene commitments under Minsk agreements and violate Ukrainian law. Call on Russia to stop pic.twitter.com/YsgFIHgGLq
— UKR Mission to UN (@UKRinUN) October 30, 2018
