Reflecting on election results in Ukraine, Prime Minister David Cameron said:
Yesterday’s elections were a clear demonstration of Ukraine’s commitment to democracy. The people of Ukraine showed real determination in exercising their right to vote despite the particular challenges they faced, displaced from their homes by the instability in the east and the illegal annexation of Crimea. I am proud that the UK has been able to support them in helping to make these elections free, fair and transparent by providing 71 independent observers to the OSCE’s election observation mission.
The Ukrainian electorate have made their choice. It is important that Russia respects the outcome of these and local elections, held under Ukrainian law, as part of its commitment to the Minsk agreement. Any elections organised by separatists would be considered illegal, would contravene the Minsk agreement and would not be recognised by the UK. President Poroshenko and the new government, with the support of the international community, must now undertake the political, economic and governance reforms that are vital to rebuilding Ukraine.