Residents of eastern Ukraine say they're ready for rebel-held election
- 10 years ago
The ballot boxes are ready in eastern Ukraine.
Pro-Russian separatists are moving ahead with an election Sunday in the self-proclaimed "Donetsk People's Republic."
Despite a rejection of the election by Ukrainian and Western authorities, an election official in Donetsk says this election is as fair and legitimate as any other.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MEMBER OF SELF-PROCLAIMED 'DONETSK PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC' ELECTION COMMISSION, SERGEI KUBAYEV, SAYING:
"The only difference between this election and all the previous elections, is that it is the first election in the independent Donetsk republic. That's all. And technically this election is the same as any other election that takes place in all of the democratic countries."
Western officials say the vote would further complicate efforts to end the crisis in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Moscow rebels want to join Russia.
In Luhansk, where rebels patrol the streets and show off their military might, billboards ar
Pro-Russian separatists are moving ahead with an election Sunday in the self-proclaimed "Donetsk People's Republic."
Despite a rejection of the election by Ukrainian and Western authorities, an election official in Donetsk says this election is as fair and legitimate as any other.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MEMBER OF SELF-PROCLAIMED 'DONETSK PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC' ELECTION COMMISSION, SERGEI KUBAYEV, SAYING:
"The only difference between this election and all the previous elections, is that it is the first election in the independent Donetsk republic. That's all. And technically this election is the same as any other election that takes place in all of the democratic countries."
Western officials say the vote would further complicate efforts to end the crisis in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Moscow rebels want to join Russia.
In Luhansk, where rebels patrol the streets and show off their military might, billboards ar