Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have sharply criticized the pro-Russian separatist elections that took place on Sunday in Donetsk and Lugansk, two territories that have escaped Kiev's control for four years.
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday ruled that elections held in the East Prussia of Ukraine were "illegal and illegitimate," in a joint statement.
"These so-called elections undermine the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine," said the two leaders, who met Sunday in Paris with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, on the sidelines of the 100th anniversary ceremonies of Ukraine. the armistice of the First World War.
Elections of presidents and pro-Russian deputies
The current separatist leaders were given victory according to the first partial results of the elections organized on Sunday in the East Prorusse of Ukraine, in spite of the critics of Kiev and the West who denounce these votes as illegitimate.
Held under the surveillance of soldiers armed with Kalashnikovs and rewarded with lottery tickets or mobile phone recharge coupons, these polls aimed to elect "presidents" and "deputies" for the two " self-proclaimed popular republics" by the rebels in Donetsk ( DNR) and Lugansk (NRL), which have been out of control for Kiev for four years.
Unsurprisingly, the "electoral commissions" of the two territories claimed that the current acting leaders, Denis Pouchiline, a 37-year-old former Kiev negotiator, in Donetsk and Leonid Pasechnnik in Lugansk, led the way with 57% and 70 respectively. % of votes after counting 27% and 31% of votes.
Ukraine divided in two
These polls reinforce the separation of rebel territories from the rest of the country and seek to legitimize their new leaders, while the peace process is stalled and clashes regularly increase the toll of this conflict estimated by the UN to more than 10,000. dead.
"We have shown the world that we can not only wage war ... but also build a state," said in the evening before a rally to Mr. Pouchiline.
The polls closed at 5 pm GMT. The participation exceeded 80% in the "republic" of Donetsk and 77% in that of Lugansk, assured their respective authorities.