Popular Russian singer and Duma lawmaker Iosif Kobzon (right) sings with separatist leader in eastern Ukraine Aleksandr Zakharchenko in Donetsk, in eastern Ukraine. Kobzon appeared in the rebel stronghold despite a ban by Ukrainian authorities on his entry to Ukraine.
Election monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) called Ukraine's parliamentary elections ''free and fair'' at a news conference in Kyiv today. They said the election offered voters ''real choice'' and that voting was transparent -- despite the fact that the poll was not held in separatist-held eastern Ukraine or in Crimea, which was annexed in an internationally unrecognized move by Russia. This is video from Reuters:
Ukrainian Communist Party leader Petro Symonenko speaking to Reuters in Kyiv today in reaction to his party failing to win any seats in the Ukrainian national legislative election for the first time since the fall of the Soviet Union:
"I insist one more time that this election cannot be deemed either democratic or legitimate. This election will further deepen the split in Ukraine. This election will not stop the war in Ukraine. Representatives of the war party have come to power big time."
"Indeed we are a party that does not stop its activities depending on whether we have seats [in the parliament] or not. We have our representatives in local councils and we will promote [our views] through local councils. We will offer the programs we consider important for the society to know through our own media channels."
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and European Council President Herman Van Rompuy have welcomed Ukraine's vote as "a victory of the people of Ukraine and of democracy." They add:
We look forward to the early formation of a new Government. On the basis of the outcome of the elections a broad national consensus should be sought in view of intensifying much needed political and economic reforms in Ukraine. A reinvigorated reform process, including the launching of a country-wide national dialogue, will be crucial in view of Ukraine's political association and economic integration with the EU and to consolidate Ukraine's unity and internal cohesion. We look forward to working closely together with the new Verkhovna Rada and the future new government to assist in these endeavours.
We reiterate the importance that the upcoming early local elections in Donbas later this year will be held under Ukrainian law and will serve the same goal of de-escalation and focusing on reforms through an inclusive dialogue between the Ukrainian Government and democratically elected representatives.
The Council of Europe's mission to Kyiv, Moscow, and Crimea says, "In Crimea Serious Human Rights Violations And Attacks On Minorities And Journalists Require Urgent Action." It quotes a new report from Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muiznieks as highlighting "specific cases of deaths and missing persons," the vulnerability of "groups rendered vulnerable by events unfolding in the region, including Crimean Tatars, ethnic Ukrainians and all those who have refused Russian citizenship," as well as raids and attacks targeting religious groups.
It also says "the Commissioner is of the opinion that the Crimean Self-Defense forces should be disbanded," condemns "the physical attacks and intimidation against journalists in recent months and recalls the obligations to uphold media freedom," and to "ensure 'free and unconditional access of international humanitarian and human rights organizations to Crimea from all directions and at all times, as well as unimpeded international monitoring."
You can find the report HERE.