Secretary-General Deplores Unconstitutional Elections Called by Armed Rebel Groups in Ukraine

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General deplores the planned holding by armed rebel groups in eastern Ukraine of their own “elections” on 2 November, in breach of the Constitution and national law.  These “elections” will seriously undermine the Minsk Protocol and Memorandum, which need to be urgently implemented in full.  The Secretary-General urges all to uphold these agreements and work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

The Secretary-General reiterates the fundamental importance of restoring stability and safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.