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The elections date back to 2014, the year Russia annexed Crimea and supported the outbreak of an insurgency in eastern Ukraine in what Kiev sees as a punishment for its pivot to the country. # 39; west.
RALLY SUPPORT. People stand with flags waiting for Denis Pushilin, leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk Republic, at his campaign meeting and concert in Donetsk on November 9, 2018. Photo Aleksey Filippo / AFP
DONETSK, Ukraine – Polling stations were opened in rebel-held areas of eastern Ukraine on Sunday, Nov. 11, while Kremlin-backed separatists choose their new leaders despite calls. in Moscow not to sabotage the peace talks.
Washington and Brussels said polls in the "People's Republics" of Donetsk and Lugansk in the Ukrainian industrial east would further hamper efforts to end the conflict that has killed more than 10,000 people since 2014.
Federica Mogherini, head of EU foreign policy, said Saturday that the bloc considered the polls as "illegal and illegitimate and will not recognize them".
"These elections are ridiculous," added the US special envoy to Ukraine, Kurt Volker.
"This is something we call Russia to stop and not move forward," he said last week, adding that the vote contradicted peace agreements negotiated by Westerners.
The Kremlin rejected the calls, saying the vote had "nothing to do" with the agreements.
Moscow believes that elections are needed to fill the political vacuum after the death of Donetsk Republic leader Alexander Zakharchenko, during a bomb attack at a Donetsk cafe in August.
"People simply need to live, to lead their lives and to ensure order in the region under the blockade and the constant threats of the use of force by the Ukrainian authorities," he said. the spokesperson of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova.
The elections date back to 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea and supported the outbreak of an insurgency in eastern Ukraine, which Kiev sees as a punishment for its pivot towards the # 39; west.
Although the fighting is over, the ongoing conflict regularly calls for the lives of soldiers and civilians. But negotiations are deadlocked and the West-backed peace agreements reached in 2015 are largely moribund.
"The hope is dead"
After the assassination of Zakharchenko, Denis Pushilin, a former operator of the infamous Russian Ponzi ploy, MMM, became acting president of the Donetsk Republic and is expected to gain polling stations there.
Leonid Pasechnik, former regional chief of the Ukrainian security services and acting head of the neighboring Lugansk republic, is also expected to win.
Both promised to seek closer ties with Moscow.
Electoral posters around Donetsk urged people to vote "with Russia in your heart".
But some residents say they were discouraged, adding that their opinions mattered little.
"Two world masters – the United States and Russia – are dividing the territories," said Yury, a 50-year-old resident of Donetsk, refusing to reveal his last name.
"The hope is dead, as they say," he told Agence France-Presse.
Lydia Bondar, a 76-year-old retiree, said she was a fan of Zakharchenko and that she would vote for her successor, Pushilin.
Many analysts believe that polls allow Moscow to strengthen its grip on about 3% of Ukrainian territory, where live about 3.7 million people.
Compared to Zakharchenko, Pouchiline is considered by many observers as a more practical figure for Moscow.
"President of the Ponzi scheme"
Polling stations opened at 05:00 GMT and must close at 17:00 GMT, with the first results expected Monday.
Armed people in camouflage guarded the Donetsk polling station where Pouchilin will vote, an AFP correspondent said.
"I came here to participate in the fate of the republic," said Valentina Slipenko, 77, adding that she had voted for Pushilin.
The last separatist elections took place in 2014, despite protests from the West and Kiev, who did not acknowledge their results.
Some pro-Kiev residents said they would not vote.
"It's ridiculous," said Tatyana, 34, refusing to give her last name for fear of reprisals.
"The man involved in Ponzi schemes has been chosen to be our president, I will not vote, I prefer to spend the day with my child."
Western supporters of Kiev said that to help settle the bloodiest European conflict since the Balkans in the 1990s, Russia should withdraw its troops from eastern Ukraine and accept a mission to maintain of the peace of the UN in this country.
The Kremlin has denied channeling troops and weapons across the border. – Rappler.com
