Poroshenko says no elections before security package implementation in Donbas

11:37, 24.10.2016 1 min read

President Petro Poroshenko of Ukraine has reiterated that until all the conditions are met to ensure safety in the context of settling the situation in Donbas, holding elections in the region is impossible.

"First, we need to create a safe environment, perform the security arrangements, the ceasefire, the withdrawal, the operation and the OSCE access, including at the border, we first need to provide technical inspection, the release of the hostages and many other things, and only after this to raise the question of the approval of the legislation on elections, " Poroshenko said in an interview to Ukrainian TV channels, shown on Sunday evening.

He assured that without the implementation of security conditions, the bill of the local elections will not be accepted by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

According to him, the Ukrainian side is not afraid of free elections in Donbas, but supports steps to create conditions so they can be held fairly.