“As NATO PA and other international observers noted, last Sunday’s parliamentary elections marked an important step in consolidating Ukraine’s democracy. Despite the ongoing violence in the East and Russia’s continued aggression and destabilising actions, the Ukrainian authorities created the conditions for as many Ukrainians as possible, including those living in Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk, to elect their representatives to the Verkhovna Rada in a democratic election. And as they did in May, the Ukrainian people once again demonstrated their strong determination to chart their country’s course, free from outside interference. They gave the newly elected Verkhovna Rada a clear mandate, which it will now have the difficult but essential responsibility to carry forward on behalf of all Ukrainians.

On behalf of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, I would like to congratulate the Ukrainian people on this important achievement. Our Assembly looks forward to working with the new Verkhovna Rada and discussing with new members of the Ukrainian delegation to the NATO PA how it can assist them and the new parliament in carrying out their priorities.” Referring to plans by separatist groups in Donetsk and Luhansk to hold a separate vote on 2 November, Mr Bayley warned that these so-called elections would be illegal and contradict the commitments made in the Minsk agreements.

“I urge all signatories of the Minsk agreements, including Russia, to abide by their commitment to work towards a peaceful resolution of the crisis in Eastern Ukraine, to refrain from any further destabilising actions, and to use their influence to convince separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk to abandon plans to hold a separate vote on 2 November.  Such a vote would be illegal and in contradiction to the commitments made in Minsk, and would not be recognised by the international community. The parliamentary elections held on 26 October are the only legal and legitimate expression of the will of the Ukrainian people, and the seats that could not be filled through these elections should be filled in a by-election organised in full respect of Ukraine’s laws and constitution.”