British Foreign Secretary William Hague is suggesting that unrest in eastern Ukraine is being fomented by Russia to disrupt the May 25 presidential elections and is urging a gathering of European foreign ministers to rally in support of the vote.
Hague spoke at a foreign ministers' meeting of the 47-nation Council of Europe in Vienna on Tuesday. He told reporters: "Russia is clearly intent on preventing or disrupting those elections," while asserting that foreign ministers at the meeting will express "strong support" for holding the vote without outside interference.
He also said nations supporting Ukraine remain ready to find a diplomatic solution to reduce tensions generated by the pro-Russian insurgency in eastern Ukraine but "that would require stronger Russian commitment."
The Ukrainian and Russian foreign ministers are also at the meeting.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
