Ukrainians went to the polls by the millions to elect a new president. Voters handed an absolute majority to Petro Poroshenko. In election day remarks, President-elect Poroshenko said his early days in office “will concentrate on ending the war, ending the chaos, ending the disorder and bringing peace to Ukrainian soil, to a united, single Ukraine.” He also promised to reach out to Russia.
The United States congratulates the people of Ukraine for making their voices heard. “Despite provocations and violence,” said President Barack Obama, “millions of Ukrainians went to the polls throughout the country.” The large turnout sends a clear message, said U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry: “The Ukrainian people want to live in a united, democratic and peaceful Ukraine anchored in European institutions.”
Observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, or OSCE, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and other international observers noted that the election demonstrated “the clear resolve of authorities to hold what was a genuine election largely in line with international commitments and with a respect for fundamental freedoms in the vast majority of the country.”
The security situation and outright armed intimidation by separatist groups prevented some voters in two of Ukraine’s regions in the east from participating in the polling, while voting was also prevented in occupied Crimea. The United States commends the courage and determination of those in Donetsk and Luhansk who ensured voting did take place in some precincts.
The successful conduct of this election demonstrates Ukraine’s commitment to the democratic process.
The United States looks forward to working with President-elect Poroshenko, as well as the democratically elected parliament, to support Ukraine’s efforts to enact important political and economic reforms. The United States continues to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and to condemn and reject Russia’s occupation and attempted annexation of Crimea, and remains committed to working with Ukraine and other partners to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The United States congratulates the people of Ukraine for making their voices heard. “Despite provocations and violence,” said President Barack Obama, “millions of Ukrainians went to the polls throughout the country.” The large turnout sends a clear message, said U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry: “The Ukrainian people want to live in a united, democratic and peaceful Ukraine anchored in European institutions.”
Observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, or OSCE, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and other international observers noted that the election demonstrated “the clear resolve of authorities to hold what was a genuine election largely in line with international commitments and with a respect for fundamental freedoms in the vast majority of the country.”
The security situation and outright armed intimidation by separatist groups prevented some voters in two of Ukraine’s regions in the east from participating in the polling, while voting was also prevented in occupied Crimea. The United States commends the courage and determination of those in Donetsk and Luhansk who ensured voting did take place in some precincts.
The successful conduct of this election demonstrates Ukraine’s commitment to the democratic process.
The United States looks forward to working with President-elect Poroshenko, as well as the democratically elected parliament, to support Ukraine’s efforts to enact important political and economic reforms. The United States continues to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and to condemn and reject Russia’s occupation and attempted annexation of Crimea, and remains committed to working with Ukraine and other partners to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
