Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Ukraine Ernst Reichel states that holding elections in the occupied territories of the Donbas region is possible even with Russian troops on the ground, militants’ presence, and without withdrawal of the Russian troops. German Ambassador to Ukraine Ernst Reichel has said in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
” It is not necessarily that the elections in Donbas can take place only when there will be no Russian troops or on each of the city administration will be posted Ukrainian flag. Without a doubt, it is rather difficult to imagine – the local elections without security. I am convinced that it is not something impossible; it all depends on the conditions”, stated the Ambassador of Germany.
Ernst Reichel has underlined that elections in the occupied by the Russian Federation Donbas can be carried out in the presence of occupation troops and everything will depend on the circumstances and Ukrainian authorities need to do so that the elections were possible.
“Undoubtedly, the elections should take place in those conditions, which will correspond to European standards. That is why safety, as well as other requirements of the electoral process are essential. Any Ukrainian politician should be able to spend his campaign without fear for his life. If it is not possible, then such elections cannot meet the standards”, said Ernst Reichel.
According to the Minsk Agreements Russia must withdraw its troops and weapons from the Donbas and that it was a necessary precondition for any talks about local elections.
See also: The results of peace talks in Minsk
After the remarks on Donbas elections German Ambassador to Ukraine Ernst Reichel has canceled the news conference scheduled on Tuesday evening, according to Yevropeiska Pravda quoting a source in the embassy.
The ambassador’s press conference was supposed to precede the official reception on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the work of Germany’s diplomatic mission in Ukraine.
“The reception will take place as planned, but the press conference won’t,” the embassy explained.
