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Ukrainian government must be legitimate, this is impossible without elections — Putin

The Russian president noted that an estimated 5-10 million Ukrainian citizens, who are eligible to vote, reside in Russia

MOSCOW, December 19. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking at the year-end news conference, stated that the Ukrainian government must become legitimate, and this requires elections.

"The Ukrainian government must ultimately become legitimate, and this is impossible without holding elections," Putin said.

He also noted that an estimated 5-10 million Ukrainian citizens, who are eligible to vote, reside in Russia. Moscow, Putin emphasized, has the right to demand that election organizers in Ukraine allow these people to exercise their voting rights in Russia.

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Ukraine crisis Foreign policy Vladimir Putin

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Ukrainian forces execute civilians in Seversk — Hero of Russia

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The system is being developed with the capability to be operational for the next 25 years

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Russia-UK relations head south after Putin's Munich speech in 2007 — foreign intel chief

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Russia to eliminate threats to Kaliningrad Region should they emerge, says Putin

The Kaliningrad Region is separated from mainland Russia by the borders of European Union countries

EU leaders looking for ways to finance Ukraine, but Hungary will not support them — Orban

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Karin Kneissl: Zelensky Has No Chance Left

US actions in Venezuela display Washington's neocolonial approach — Russia’s UN envoy

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Sergey Naryshkin said the phone conversation was held "just a few days ago"

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Russia not at war with West, West fights Russia with Ukrainian nationalists’ hands — Putin

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Share of missing Russian servicemen must be reduced to absolute zero — Putin

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Bank of Russia reduced key rate to 16%

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Hungary 'absolutely ready' to host Russia-US summit — top diplomat

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