Interfax: Kremlin reaffirms its “respect” for outcome of Ukraine election

(Interfax – May 28, 2014) A senior aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated the Kremlin’s position that it “respects” the outcome of Ukraine’s presidential election, won by confectionery tycoon Petro Poroshenko, the privately-owned Russian news agency Interfax reported on 28 May.

“Our president has already said that, of course, we respect the results of the elections that took place. This has also been confirmed at other levels. We respect the results of this expression of will, I would like to stress this one more time,” said Yuriy Ushakov, Putin’s top foreign policy adviser.

Ushakov also voiced concern over the Ukrainian government’s military operation against pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country.

“We are constantly saying that these provocative military actions are only leading the situation towards a dead end, and after that it will be harder to organize a dialogue with representatives of Donetsk and Luhansk regions,” Ushakov said. “The president of the Russian Federation is constantly stressing this point.”

Asked whether Putin was planning to congratulate Poroshenko on his victory in the 25 May vote, Ushakov replied: “When the final results are officially determined, then that’s when a decision will be taken.”

According to Interfax, Poroshenko refused to say whether Russia would be represented at Poroshenko’s inauguration, because at this stage it remains unclear who will be invited.