Arseniy Yatsenyuk: We demand from Russia to withdraw the terrorists and enable us to hold a fair and transparent election in Donbas

The Government of Ukraine demands from the Russian Federation to withdraw Russia-led terrorists and give an opportunity to hold free and fair elections in Donbas in compliance with international standards. Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk announced at a Government meeting on Wednesday, March 18.

Arseniy Yatsenyuk reminded on March 17 the Parliament of Ukraine had adopted a decision on further implementation of the Minsk agreement, "We don’t feel excessive optimism concerning determination of Russia and Russia-led terrorists to execute the agreement. But Ukraine, making successive steps, proves that we will fight with all means and tools to instil peace and resume control over the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the framework of the Minsk accord".

The Head of Government stressed that the election in Donetsk and Luhansk regions proves possible under certain conditions, the essential of which, under the Minsk agreements, is "Russian guerrillas have to liberate the territory of Ukraine and to enable Ukraine to conduct fair and transparent elections in compliance with international standards".

"It means that all political forces represented in Ukraine, represented in the Parliament have a chance to participate in this election campaign, have an access to agitation tools. The freedom of assembly, the freedom of agitation, and the main thing is freedom from Russian gangsters on the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk and at polling stations," he said.

According to Arseniy Yatsenyuk, to achieve that Russia should withdraw Russia-led terrorists and Ukraine should regain control over the Ukrainian-Russian state border.

"Ukraine makes successive steps to obtain peace, to restore peace and stability and implement the Minsk agreements aimed at de-escalation of the situation. Once again we demand from Russia to immediately stick to all the basic points, which also provide an opportunity to hold fair and transparent elections on the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions," he stressed.

"I reiterate - just holding fair and transparent elections, instead of legitimizing Russian gangsters through elections by Russian standards," urged Arseniy Yatsenyuk.