Poroshenko calls on Europe to increase pressure on Russia over pseudo-elections in Donbas

He wrote this on his Facebook page.

"During my speech at the summit of the European People's Party, I called for a strong condemnation of the sham elections in Donbas on November 11 organized by the Kremlin and stressed the importance of keeping in place and strengthening the sanctions regime against the Russian Federation," Poroshenko said.

He also emphasized the need to increase international pressure on the Russian side in order to release Ukrainian political prisoners.

The president also informed European leaders about the tense situation in Donbas, the ongoing militarization and violation of human rights in the Russian-occupied Crimea, as well as tensions in the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait.

At the same time, Poroshenko noted that the year 2019 will be crucial for both Ukraine and the EU and that a joint response to Russia's meddling in electoral processes will be a priority.

The Ukrainian president is on a working visit to Finland on November 7-8.

op