Prystaiko briefs OSCE ministers on conditions for elections in Donbas

Local elections in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions should be conducted in accordance with Ukrainian law, and only after all security conditions have been established, foreign troops have been withdrawn and control over the uncontrolled section of the border with Russia has been returned to Ukraine.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko said this at the 26th meeting OSCE Ministerial Council in Bratislava on Thursday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"Local elections should be held there [in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions] in accordance with Ukrainian law and in accordance with OSCE democratic standards. Only after all security conditions have been fulfilled, including the withdrawal of all illegal troops from the region and the return to Ukraine of control over the Ukrainian-Russian border," he said.

The 26th OSCE Ministerial Council began in Bratislava on December 5. About 40 foreign ministers from 57 participating countries are attending the event. The Ukrainian delegation is headed by Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko at this year's meeting.

op