Russian-backed separatists ready to compromise on elections

The leaders of the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics are ready to hold local elections in accordance with Ukrainian law and under OSCE supervision, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Sept. 10. They also want to prevent radical Ukrainian organizations, such as the Right Sector, from participating, which he said is in accordance with Ukrainian law.

Zenon Zawada: As we expected, the Russians and their satellites are willing to drop the Oct. 18 elections, which have been condemned by Western leaders. This is confirmation that the Russians are serious about creating a Donbas specific order, and that its creation serves Russian geopolitical interests. It remains to be seen whether there’s still enough time to organize orderly elections in the occupied territories of Donbas for Oct. 25, when the rest of the country will be casting their ballots for local candidates.