RIA Novosti: Moscow May Recognize Ukraine Election – Russian Foreign Ministry

MOSCOW, April 29 (RIA Novosti) – Russia may recognize the results of upcoming elections in Ukraine on certain conditions, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Tuesday in an online interview with Russia’s Gazeta.ru.

“It depends on what will precede them and how they are held,” Ryabkov said, responding to a question about whether Russia would recognize the results of the presidential election.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a live question and answer session in mid-April that Moscow would not recognize the result of the May 25 presidential election if attacks on candidates continued in the country.

Earlier this month, Oleh Tsarev, a presidential candidate and an active pro-federalization supporter, was brutally beaten by radicals in Kiev following his appearance on the Ukrainian talk show “Svoboda Slova” (“Freedom of Speech”).

Russia condemned the attack as violating the principles of a free and democratic election.

Ukraine underwent a regime change resembling a military coup on February 22. The country’s parliament ousted President Viktor Yanukovych, changed the constitution and scheduled early presidential elections.

Russia insists that Yanukovych remains the legitimate elected president.