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Developments in eastern Ukraine

Official: Kiev to agree with any outcome of Donbass elections held by Ukrainian laws

Earlier, Pristaiko told the media Kiev was prepared to have a dialogue with officially elected Donbass leaders

KIEV, 9 March. /TASS/. The authorities in Kiev will accept any choice made by the people of Donbass, if the elections are held in compliance with Ukrainian legislation, Deputy Foreign Minister Vadim Pristaiko said on Sunday.

"First, ceasefire must be established and heavy weapons pulled back. Then we shall see how exactly elections can be held in compliance with Ukrainian legislation. The elections must be held in the same fashion as elsewhere in Ukraine. There are laws, there are monitors and there is the OSCE. We do not identify leaders in advance, but we would like to see the people make a free choice," Pristaiko said on Ukraine’s TV channel 112.

When asked if the authorities would agree with any choice the people of Donbass would make, Pristaiko said: "Yes, just as we proposed last year. We could have done that back last December."

Earlier, Pristaiko told the media Kiev was prepared to have a dialogue with officially elected Donbass leaders.

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Eastern Ukraine

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