Ukrainian Prime Minister Arsenic Yatseniuk has warned that Russia and its proxy forces in eastern Ukraine could seek to destabilize the country’s parliamentary elections on Sunday with attacks, Reuters reports.
Ukraine is holding its first parliamentary elections since pro-Russia leader Victor Yanukovich was deposed last winter after street protests. Russia responded by annexing the Crimean peninsula earlier this year and backing separatists in eastern Ukraine.
Yatseniuk said security officers must be vigilant this weekend due to the threat of "terrorist acts":
"It is clear that attempts to destabilize the situation will continue and be provoked by the Russian side. They did not succeed during the presidential election (in May)...but their plans have remained," he told a meeting of top security chiefs and election monitors.
"We need...full mobilization of the whole law-enforcement system to prevent violations of the election process and any attempts at terrorist acts during the elections," Yatseniuk said.
"Realistically, we are in a state of Russian aggression and we have before us one more challenge—to hold parliamentary elections...The choice (of voters) will be made by the ballot-paper and an honest expression of will and not automatic weapons," Yatseniuk said.
There was no immediate reaction from Moscow to his charges.
But Russian foreign ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said Russia hoped the election would be held in accordance with "democratic principles and norms" and that "a process of gradual political stabilization" of Ukraine would follow, RIA news agency reported.
The separatists will hold their own elections on Nov. 2, which Western officials have said they will not recognize.
NATO’s military commander said on Friday that Russian forces remain inside eastern Ukraine despite a ceasefire agreement between the country and pro-Russian rebels last month.