MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Late last week, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko instructed Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin to inform Russia about the "impossibility of conducting Russian elections on Ukrainian territory." The Verkhovna Rada called on the international community to refrain from participation in monitoring the Russian elections and not to recognize the results of these elections on the territory of Crimea and Sevastopol.
"The ministers discussed the various aspects of the situation in Ukraine, including the task of strengthening the ceasefire regime in the area of internal Ukrainian conflict. The questions relating to the Ukrainian side's obligations to ensure the safety of Russian diplomatic missions in Ukraine, especially in connection with the September 18 Russian State Duma elections," the ministry said.
Russia has firmly denied the accusations, underscoring that sanctions are counterproductive and hurt both sides.