The National Security and Defense of the Council of Ukraine imposed sanctions on the legal entities and individuals including a number of citizens of the Republic of Abkhazia on March 20,2019 who participated as the observers at elections in the Donbas. The restrictive measures include the blocking of assets, preventing the withdrawal of capital outside Ukraine, the refusal to grant and cancel visas to residents of foreign countries and the application of other restrictions on entry into the territory of Ukraine.
In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia considers it necessary to note the following.
The elections of November 11, 2018 held in the DPR and LPR, which were attended by the observers, including the citizens of the Republic of Abkhazia, do not contradict with the Minsk agreements. In this connection, the decision of Kiev to impose these restrictive measures is puzzling. Even if the Kiev authorities do not consider it necessary to recognize the elections in the Donbass, such sanctions pressure is clearly a disproportionate measure of influence and cannot have any justification.
Obviously, concerned on the outcome of the upcoming presidential elections, the Ukrainian authorities are trying by any means to earn political dividends and increase their rating, not at all caring about the will of the residents of Donbass or their socio-economic status.
It should be noted that 50 representatives of 14 countries of the world participated as international election observers. According to the voting results, it was stated that no violations of the election process were recorded.
In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia considers it necessary to note the following.
The elections of November 11, 2018 held in the DPR and LPR, which were attended by the observers, including the citizens of the Republic of Abkhazia, do not contradict with the Minsk agreements. In this connection, the decision of Kiev to impose these restrictive measures is puzzling. Even if the Kiev authorities do not consider it necessary to recognize the elections in the Donbass, such sanctions pressure is clearly a disproportionate measure of influence and cannot have any justification.
Obviously, concerned on the outcome of the upcoming presidential elections, the Ukrainian authorities are trying by any means to earn political dividends and increase their rating, not at all caring about the will of the residents of Donbass or their socio-economic status.
It should be noted that 50 representatives of 14 countries of the world participated as international election observers. According to the voting results, it was stated that no violations of the election process were recorded.