The European Union sees the holding of "presidential" and "parliamentary" elections held in the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR) on November 2 as illegal and will not recognize them, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini has said.

"These so-called 'elections,' as well as any acknowledgement or recognition of them, are in breach of the letter and the spirit of the Minsk Protocol and we call on Russia to assume its responsibility in this regard," Mogherini said in a statement released in Brussels late on Wednesday.

According to the document, the EU calls on all sides to work towards early local elections in these parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions in accordance with Ukrainian law, as foreseen in the Minsk Protocol, as the only legal and legitimate means of renewing the democratic mandate of the local authorities.

"In order to find a sustainable political solution to the crisis in eastern Ukraine through dialogue, the EU urges all parties to fully implement the Minsk Protocol and Memorandum swiftly and without further delay," Mogherini said.

The EU once again underlined Russia's responsibility in this context and called for a withdrawal of illegal and foreign forces, mercenaries and military equipment, as well as for securing the Ukrainian-Russian border with permanent monitoring under the OSCE verification.

The statement also notes the EU's concern about "continuing violation of the ceasefire, the resulting losses of lives and increasing numbers of internally displaced persons."

"The EU will continue to provide humanitarian assistance and calls on all parties to facilitate distribution of aid to populations in need, on the basis of non-discrimination, cooperation with established humanitarian actors and with the consent of competent national authorities," reads the statement.