Conflict
Crisis/Conflict/Terrorism Ukraine: Ban appeals for calm ahead of elections
23 May 2014, 07:28 am Print
New York, May 23 (JEN): As violence continues to roil eastern Ukraine, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reiterated on Thursday his appeals to all parties ahead of Sunday’s scheduled presidential elections to redouble their efforts to help create the conditions that will allow voters across the crisis-torn country to safely cast their ballots.
“The Secretary-General is dismayed by the deadly overnight attack against a military checkpoint in eastern Ukraine,” said a statement issued by Ban’s spokesperson in New York.
According to media reports, renewed clashes between anti-Government groups and Ukrainian security forces near the eastern city of Donetsk left at least a dozen soldiers dead overnight.
With only three days before presidential elections, the Secretary-General, in the statement, appealed to all parties to redouble their efforts and help create the necessary conditions so that all eligible voters throughout the country could cast their ballots in a free and fair environment and without fear for their safety.
“Voters across Ukraine should see the elections as an opportunity to help move the country on to a more inclusive and stable trajectory while also determining the country’s leadership at a pivotal moment,” the statement concludes.
Ukrainian flags in front of the House with Chimaeras, Kyiv. Photo: UNDP Kyiv
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