Foreign Minister Prystaiko: No elections in Donbas as long as territory is occupied

The EU clearly supports the possibility of holding local elections in eastern Ukraine only after Russian military units are withdrawn and the control over the border is restored.
"All ministers spoke unanimously within the meaning of the ‘Steinmeier formula’ which stipulates that elections will take place and a special status [for certain areas of Donbas] will be granted and this should not be contrary to Ukrainian legislation, should not be contrary to high OSCE standards. These elections cannot take place if the territory is occupied. They cannot take place if the foreign military formations are stationed on the territory. They cannot take place if the Ukrainian side has no control over the border," Foreign Minister of Ukraine Vadym Prystaiko told reporters following a meeting with foreign ministers of the EU Member States in Luxembourg on Monday, an Ukrinform own correspondent reported.

Prystaiko noted that the EU foreign ministers agreed to maintain communications to settle the situation in eastern Ukraine.

The Ukrainian minister also announced that he had agreed with incoming EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell on the interaction and the first steps to continue Ukraine’s European integration.

"Ukraine will continue to move along the chosen path, which is enshrined in the Constitution. [Ukraine will continue to conduct] reforms in the country, which are complicated, fast, painful, supported by the European Union. At the same time, the European side points to the need to correctly comply with the procedures, taking into account the interests of all participants in Ukrainian political life."