OSCE expresses regret that Russian observers are banned from monitoring Ukraine's presidential elections
OSCE Secretary General, Thomas Greminger, expressed regret and concern regarding decision to ban Russian citizens from being official observers at the 2019 elections in Ukraine, reports Interfax-Ukraine.
“I share the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) director's regret and concern because it is not very good not to follow the structure of the monitoring methodology,” he said.
Greminger noted that he follows with interest what is happening in Ukraine. However, he refrained from assessing events, arguing that it is better to talk about this with the observers, who arrived in the country in February.
"At present, the most important OSCE event, in regard to the elections, is an observation mission. This is the main priority, and we want to do everything possible to ensure that these elections are free and fair," he stressed.
On February 7, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a law that prohibits citizens of the Russian Federation from being official observers at elections in Ukraine.