DONETSK, October 30. /TASS/. One of the election candidates for the position of head of state of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), Yuri Sivokonenko, said on Thursday he supports the territory's accession to the Moscow-led Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.

“I certainly understand that we are economically tied to Ukraine, but with our souls and hearts, we want integration, and also accession to the Customs Union,” Sivokonenko told TASS, adding that the economy of the self-proclaimed republic could be recovered through economic cooperation with Belarus and Russia.

The politician noted that he seeks to make peace with Ukraine as quickly as possible.

“People who came to power in Kiev obviously do not want peaceful settlement of the conflict,” said Sivokonenko, who described himself as more left-wing.

“It hurts me to look at destroyed schools and kindergartens,” he said. “The first thing I will do if I win is develop social facilities and strengthen the DPR’s defence capabilities.”

Main candidates for the role of head of state are Prime Minister Alexander Zakharchenko, parliamentarian Yuri Sivokonenko and Alexander Kofman, deputy chairman of the Novorossiya Federal State regional parliament.

Voters are choosing their leader and representatives for a four-year fixed term. The two political forces fighting the campaign are Donetsk Republic and Free Donbass.

The elections will take place on Sunday, November 2.