Germany appreciates Russia’s “important role” in securing the resumption of the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) speaks with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
“According to what we have recently been observing there Russian politicians did much to make sure that the truce resumed on September 1 and was observed by all sides. We also hope that this will prevent any elections in Donetsk and Lugansk held on a day other than October 25,” Gernot Erler, German Special Coordinator for Russia Policy, said during a meeting on Tuesday with Konstantin Kosachev, who heads the Foreign Affairs Committee at the Federation Council – the upper chamber of the Russian parliament.
“It is paramount for the 18-day ceasefire to hold and for the upcoming elections to be held in line with the provisions of the Minsk accords,” he added.
Gernot Erler underscored Berlin’s insistence that these provisions be implemented in equal measure both by Russia and Ukraine.
Kiev authorities have set the country-wide local elections for October 25.
The Lugansk People's Republic is planning to hold separate elections on November 1, while the Donetsk People's Republic has decided to hold the elections on October 18.
Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko earlier urged the pro-independence leaders of the Lugansk and Donetsk People’s Republics to hold local elections strictly in line with Ukrainian laws.
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