Pifer: Ukraine’s example could encourage Russians to ask for more democratic elections

The open voting process in Ukraine could encourage people in Russia to ask for more democratic elections in their own country.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, former special assistant to U.S. President and Senior Director for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia, Steven Pifer, wrote this on Twitter, when commenting on preliminary results of Ukraine’s presidential elections.

“Have to wonder what average Russian thinks watching political neophyte in next door Ukraine unseat incumbent president in open election. Will people in Russia start asking for more democratic elections?” he wrote.

As reported, the second round of Ukraine’s presidential elections was held on Sunday, April 21. According to the National Exit Poll, Volodymyr Zelensky won 73% of the vote, and Petro Poroshenko got 25.5%.